LIBRARY 

CALIFORNIA  COLLEGE  OF  MEDICINE 


/ 


MILK  DIET 


AS  A  REMEDY 


For  Chronic  Disease 


BY 
CHARLES  SAN  FORD  PORTER,  M.  D. 


THIRD  EDITION 


BURNETT  P.  O.,  CALIFORNIA 

(City  of  Long  Beach) 

1911 


• 


Cbpyright,  1905,  1908,  and  1911. 

By 
Charles  Sanford  Porter,  tyl.  D. 


o 


Preface  to  Third  Edition. 


Since  the  first  publication  of  this  work  in 
1905,  two  large  editions  have  been  disposed 
of,  and  another  is  required.  This  is  especially 
gratifying,  in  view  of  the  fact,  that  the  sale  of 
the  book  has  not  been  urged,  except  as  one 
purchaser  or  patient  would  recommend  it  to 
another. 

The  succeeding  editions  have  not  differed 
materially,  in  describing  the  method  of  treat- 
ment, except  in  the  effort  to  make  the  direc- 
tions more  explicit  and  to  provide  for  certain 
contingencies. 

The  fact  that  I  have  a  large  correspond- 
ence with  people  who  contemplate  taking,  or 
have,  or  are  taking  a  milk  diet  in  some  way, 
has  afforded  me  every  year  valuable  informa- 
tion as  to  their  needs,  and  enabled  me  to  em- 
phasize, or  make  clearer,  features  which  may 
not  have  been  sufficiently  plain  for  everyone 
in  the  earlier  editions. 

Valuable      contributions      regarding      the 


treatment  are  frequently  offered  me,  and,  after 
a  thorough  test,  may  be  incorporated  in  the 
book. 

Unless  otherwise  credited,  all  the  state- 
ments made  regarding  reactions,  results  and 
the  method  of  operation  of  the  treatment,  are 
from  my  own  observation. 

Orders  for  the  book  have  come  from  every 
part  of  the  United  States,  from  Canada,  Eng- 
land, and  other  foreign  countries;  translations, 
in  whole,  or  in  part,  have  also  been  made  into 
other  languages. 

I  hope  the  new  book  will  meet  with  the 
same  favorable  unanimity  that  its  predeces- 
sors received. 

C.  S.  P. 
Burnett,  California 

January  31,  1911 


Table  of  Contents. 


Chap.                                                                                              Page 
Preface    3 

Synopsis    7 

Introduction    9 

I.     Preliminary    Arrangements 15 

II.     Starting    the   Treatment 29 

III.  Reactions   During  Treatment 51 

IV.  Dyspepsia    75 

V.     Constipation     87 

VI.     Consumption    105 

VII.     Catarrh  and  Asthma  Ill 

VIII.     Rheumatism     115 

I X. — Various    Diseases    ,".  122 

X.     Psychology  of  the  Milk  Cure 135 

XL     Rest    142 

XII.     Exercise    153 

XIII.     After   Treatment    164 

Pulse   Blank    *..... 178 

Measurement  Blank    1 79 

Index    181 


Disease  can  only  be  cured  by  and 
through  the  blood,  and  its  circulation  in  the 
living  parts  of  the  body. 

Any  means  that  improves  the  quality,  the 
quantity,  and  the  movement  of  the  blood,  will 
assist  in  eliminating  disease. 

The  treatment  described  in  this  book 
maizes  the  purest  and  richest  blood  possible, 
and  ALWAYS  increases  the  amount  and 
rapidity  of  the  circulation. 


SYNOPSIS 

Briefly  stated  the  milk  cure  consists  of  the 
following  factors: 

I-,.  .  Complete  rest  for  all  the  organs  of  the 
body  except  those  concerned  in  the 
production  and  circulation  of  the  blood,  and 
those  connected  with  the  elimination  of  Waste 
and  poisonous  matter. 
Q  j  An  ample  supply  of  the  only  food 

Second  ^at  w>n  ma^e  an  /mmej/a/e  iarge 

production  of  blood  possible, — milfy. 
r^i  .     ,   An  unlimited  quantity  of  pure  air  to 
oxidize  and  cool  the  blood,  and  carry 
off  the  expired  gases. 

p.,  I*  Warm  water  baths,  to  soften  the 
OUT  in  sfynj  equalize  the  circulation,  and 
regulate  the  body  heat — and,  last  but  not  least. 
r?*rj.i  W hen  the  body  is  ready  for  it. 
I*  mil  EXERCISE,  to  strengthen  the  mus- 
cles,  expand  the  lungs,  limber  the  joints,  stim- 
ulate the  circulation,  increase  the  elimination, 
purify  the  blood,  develop  normal  secretions: 
train  the  nerves,  and,  generally,  to  fix  and 
make  permanent  the  benefits  acquired  while 
resting  and  building  up  the  body. 


PRESS    PRINTING   COMPANY 
LONG    BEACH,  CALIF. 


INTRODUCTION 


Milk,  and  milk  products,  have  been  used 
and  highly  esteemed  as  food  by  all  nations 
possessing  mammalian  animals  since  the 
earliest  records  of  history.  At  the  present 
time  some  of  the  older  European  countries 
are  consuming  two  or  three  times  as  much 
milk  and  cheese  per  capita,  as  the  United 
States  does. 

A  good  food  is  a  good  remedy,  and,  as 
disease  is  only  a  disturbance  of  the  mechanism 
of  nutrition,  it  s  only  natural  that  the  use  of 
milk  in  ill  health  should  be  almost  as  old  as 
its  use  as  a  food  in  health. 

Hippocrates  advised  consumptives  to  drink 
large  quantities  of  asses'  milk.  Camel's  milk, 
and  whey  cures  were  practiced  by  the  Ara- 
bian physicians.  Homer  called  the  Scythians 
Galactophagi,  or  feeders  on  milk,  and  He- 
rodotus describes  their  methods  of  handling 
mare's  milk. 

In  recent  times  the  popularization  of  the 
milk  cure  has  been  largely  due  to  the  efforts  of 


10  MILK    DIET. 

Russian  and  German  physicians.  Karrick, 
Karel,  F.  von  Nicmeyer,  Winternitz  and 
Bremer  ha,ve  advocated  it  in  the  treatment  of 
many  chronic  diseases.  In  the  United  States, 
Donkin,  in  1868  called  the  attention  of  the 
medical  profession  to  the  fact  that  diabetes 
could  be  cured  by  large  quantities  of  milk, 
and  said  that  some  cases  could  take  as  much 
as  fourteen  pints  per  day.  AVeir  Mitchell, 
who  has  had,  perhaps,  the  greatest  experience 
of  any  American  physician  with  chronic  dis- 
ease, says:  "It  is  difficult  to  treat  any  of 
these  cases  without  a  resort  at  some  time 
more  or  less  to  the  use  of  milk." 

The  use  of  milk  in  the  diet  for  nearly 
all  cases  of  chronic  disease,  in  advised  by  all 
the  principal  textbooks  with  which  I  am 
familiar.  The  mistake  is  made  by  many  of 
them  of  combining  other  foods,  even  meats 
and  eggs,  with  milk,  and,  consequently  they 
usually  add  the  proviso  "if  it  agrees."  Very 
few  physicians  understand  the  proper  amounts 
of  milk  to  be  given,  and  the  proper  way  to 
give  it  in  order  to  assure  assimilation.  The 
method  of  preparing  the  patient  for  the  milk 
diet,  and  his  conduct  while  taking  it,  had 
never  been  published,  that  I  am  aware  of,  pre- 


INTRODUCTION.  11 

vious  to  the  printing  of  the  first  edition  of 
this  work,  in  1905. 

My  first  introduction  to  the  possibilities 
of  an  exclusive  milk  diet  was  in  1884  while 
living  in  New  York  City.  A  friend  was  cured 
completely  and  permanently  of  a  rather  seri- 
ous condition,  by  following  the  advice  of  a 
gentleman  recently  from  Germany  and  fa- 
miliar with  the  milk  cures  practiced  there  at 
that  time.  Other  mutual  friends  adopted  the 
same  plan  for  the  relief  of  various  ills,  and  all 
with  good  results.  Shortly  afterward  I  took 
the  "milk  cure,"  as  we  understood  it  then,  for 
a  condition  bordering  on  nervous  prostration. 
I  not  only  overcame  that  condition,  but  was 
cured  of. hay  fever  which  had  claimed  me  as 
an  annual  victim  for  seven  or  eight  years,  but 
has  never  since  returned. 

From  that  time  to  the  present,  I  have 
never  ceased  to  advocate  the  milk  cure,  and, 
of  the  thousands  of  cases  of  chronic  disease 
that  have  taken  the  treatment  in  the  manner 
I  recommended,  I  do  not  know  of  one  person 
who  has  regretted  it;  I  do  not  know  of  one 
that  was  not  benefited. 

Such  remarkable  results'  have,  of  course, 
resulted  in  extending  the  treatment  through- 


12  MILK   DIET. 

out  the  country.  Many  physicians,  and 
some  sanitariums,  have  endeavored  to  use 
the  method.  I  regret  that  many,  if  not 
all  of  these,  have  made  changes  in  the 
original  plan,  which  was  apparently  too 
simple.  Very  many  times  doctors  and  other 
patients  under  my  care  have  advised  me  to  add 
something  to  the  milk,  or  to  the  method  of 
giving  it,  in  order  to  make  the  process  more 
mysterious,  and  more  attractive  to  many 
people,  and  more  lucrative  to  myself.  They 
said  that  people  who  had  suffered  for  years 
without  relief,  traveling  to  many  health  re- 
sorts, and  to  noted  specialists,  taking  expensive 
and  elaborate  treatments,  would  not  easily  be 
induced  to  use  a  method  apparently  o  simple 
as  to  be  within  the  reach  of  almost  every  per- 
son, or  household,  without  expert  advice. 

While  admitting  the  force  of  the  argu- 
ment, I  have  always  replied  that  there  was 
only  one  way  to  do  the  milk  cure,  and  that  I 
would  go  on  to  the  end  advocating  that  way. 
For  twenty-seven  years  I  have  watched  the 
results  of  this  way,  always  willing  to  add  any- 
thing of  real  benefit,  that  would  not  interfere 
with  the  results  we  were  already  getting,  al- 
ways investigating  methods  of  treatment  that 


INTRODUCTION.  13 

seemed  to  have  merit,  or  that  made  claims  to 
be  able  to  do  more,  or  even  as  much  as  we 
could,  but,  with  the  exception  of  the  prepara- 
tion of  the  patient  for  the  milk  diet,  and  the 
method  of  finishing  the  treatment,  it  remains 
practically  the  same  as  when  first  introduced 
to  this  country. 

It  is  true  that  my  experience  has  shown  me 
what  kind  of  milk  gives  the  best  average  re- 
sults, and  what  parts  of  the  treatment  may  be 
omitted  or  modified  in  certain  cases,  and  I 
may  also  say  that  I  have  spent  a  great  deal  of 
lime  investigating  the  why  and  wherefore,  the 
reason  for  doing  certain  things,  and  not  doing 
others,  and  the  cause  of  certain  symptoms  and 
results  that  occur  during  a  course  of  milk  diet. 

This  book  is  particularly  intended  for  pa- 
tients taking  the  treatment, — and  those  who 
are  under  my  personal  care,  or  corresponding 
with  me,  must  be  perfectly  familiar  with  it. 
For  this  reason  it  is  made  as  brief  and  simple 
as  possible,  but  it  contains  all  necessary  in- 
structions regarding  the  treatment.  It  must 
be  read  carefully  before  beginning  the  treat- 
ment, and  again  soon  after  commencing,  unless 
the  patients'  condition  is  such  that  reading  is 
[inadvisable,  when  it  should  be  read  to  them, 
if  possible. 


14  MILK   DIET. 

The  book  is  not  large;  the  size  has  been 
kept  down  so  that  almost  any  invalid  can  hold 
the  book,  and  read  it,  without  too  much 
physical  or  mental  effort. 

The  present  edition  has  taken  a  long  time 
to  prepare,  because  it  had  to  be  written  between 
the  almost  constant  calls  of  my  daily  work,  and 
also  because  the  contents  comprise,  almost  en- 
tirely, my  personal  experience.  My  library  on 
Milk  is  as  complete  as  I  can  make  it,  but  in 
the  scores  of  books,  pamphlets,  and  periodicals 
on  the  subject,  there  is  little  to  draw  on  that 
would  be  of  practical  use  in  this  work. 


CHAPTER  I. 
PRELIMINARY  ARRANGEMENTS. 

Before  commencing  a  course  of  milk  diet, 
certain  preparations  are  necessary.  These 
preliminaries  must  be  arranged  beforehand, 
because  the  treatment  always  includes  com- 
plete rest,  for  a  time,  at  least. 

The  consideration  of  the  apartment  where 
the  patient  is  to  remain  is  of  first  importance. 
It  must  be  remembered  that,  no  matter  what 
the  previous  habits  of  the  patient  may  have 
been  in  this  regard,  a  very  large  supply  of 
fresh  air  will  be  required,  if  not  at  first,  within 
about  forty-eight  hours.  A  room  may  be 
used,  and  often  is,  but  the  best  results,  in  my 
experience,  have  followed  the  use  of  outdoor 
bedrooms,  such  as  pavilions,  screened  porches, 
roofs,  sheds,  lean-tos,  or  even  a  good  bed  with 
nothing  over  it.  In  most  climates  some  pro- 
tection is  required  from  the  rain,  snow,  sun,  or 
wind.  On  the  whole,  perhaps  there  is  nothing 
more  satisfactory  than  a  pavilion,  partially 


16  MILK   DIET. 

boarded  or  latticed  up  on  the  sides,  with  a 
good  water-tight  roof,  and  insect-proof  screen 
over  the  openings  all  around.  Some  of  the 
openings  should  extend  to  the  roof,  or  ceiling, 
and  some  of  them  should  come  down  to  the 
floor.  It  is  the  lack  of  these  that  prevents  a 
room  being  equal  to  an  outdoor  place;  no 
matter  how  many  windows  there  may  be,  there 
is  a  dead  space  above  the  tops  of  the  windows 
where  warm  air  accumulates,  and  there  is  a 
space  between  the  bottoms  of  the  windows 
and  the  floor  where  the  heavy  gases,  such  as 
carbonic  acid,  lie  more  or  less  stagnant,  until 
stirred  up  by  some  breeze  of  unusual  strength 
or  direction.  Dust  is  also  deposited  in  these 
dead  air  spaces.  Anyone  who  has  not  tried 
living  and  sleeping  in  a  space  open  from  floor 
to  roof,  even  on  only  .one  side,  cannot  realize 
what  a  constant  difference  there  is  between 
the  air  in  such  a  place  and  the  air  in  a  room, 
no  matter  how  well  ventilated  it  may  seem 
to  be. 

A  room  is  always  more  or  less  draughty, 
with  the  windows  open,  while  in  these  outside 
places  the  circulation  of  air,  while  thorough, 
is  almost  imperceptible,  so  gently  and  easily 
is  the  change  made. 


PRELIMINARY    ARRANGEMENTS.  17 

It  is  the  retaining  of  the  gases  and  other 
cast-off  material  from  the  hocly  in  the  room 
that  makes  indoor  life  so  much  more  un- 
healthy, compared  with  life  in  the  open.  The 
greater  warmth,  too,  indoors,  prevents  the 
same  degree  of  oxidation  that  is  possible  out- 
doors. The  cooler  the  air,  the  purer  it  is,  as 
a  rule,  and  the  more  oxygen  we  are  able  to 
absorb.  There  are  probably  other  substances 
besides  simple  oxygen,  in  fresh  air,  that  are 
necessary  to  our  wellbeing. 

When  you  have  decided  upon  a  suitable 
location  to  stay  in  while  taking  the  milk,  ar- 
range for  a  comfortable  bed,  preferably  one 
with  a  hair  mattress.  A  hard  bed,  or  a  bumpy 
one,  becomes  irksome  before  the  skin  has  de- 
veloped the  protecting  pad  of  flesh  that  be- 
longs over  the  bony  points.  The  head  of  the 
bed  should  be  toward  the  openings  where  the 
light  and  air  enter.  Do  not  make  the  common 
mistake  of  putting  the  feet  out  in  the  center 
space,  in  a  current  of  air,  and  the  head  in  some 
corner  where  the  circulation  is  at  a  minimum. 
The  reverse  should  be  the  rule. 

Beds  with  solid  headboards  or  footboards 
should  not  be  used.  Procure  an  iron  bed,  or 
a  couch  or  cot  without  any  headboard.  Of 


18  MILK    DIET. 

« 

all  things  do  not  attempt  to  sleep  in  a  modern 
folding  bed  where  the  head  is  put  in  a  box- 
like  space,  eminently  more  suited  to  the  de- 
struction of  one's  health  than  to  its  restora- 
tion. 

The  bed  clothes  should  be  woolen  blankets 
by  preference,  with  linen  sheets,  fastened  at 
the  foot,  and  folding  down  from  the  head  of 
the  bed,  so  that  the  patient  can  easily  turn 
down  a  fold  or  two  when  less  covering  is  re- 
quired. 

In  certain  cases  where  there  is  much  per- 
spiration, or  exhalation  from  the  body,  it  is  a 
wise  plan  to  use  a  set  of  bed  linen  not  over 
twenty-four  hours  at  a  time,  not  necessarily 
increasing  the  laundry  expense,  but  putting 
the  change  of  linen  to  air  while  the  other  set 
is  in  use.  Remember  that  it  is  necessary 
to  stay  in  bed  all  the  time,  except  when  bath- 
ing, or  performing  other  necessary  acts,  and 
that  the  skin  is  an  important  breathing  organ, 
and  must  not  be  surrounded  by  foul  odors. 

The  sleeping  garments  should  be  changed 
twice  a  day,  morning  and  night.  I  think  a 
gown  is  preferable  to  pajamas,  because  it  is 
very  important  that  there  be  no  constriction 
around  the  waist.  Garments  requiring  to  be 


PRELIMINARY    ARRANGEMENTS.  19 

buttoned,  or  belted,  around  the  waist,  inter- 
fere with  the  proper  development  of  the  or- 
gans contained  in  the  abdomen,  and  also  pre- 
vent, to  some  extent,  abdominal  breathing. 

I  am  explicit  about  these  directions,  be- 
cause a  very  rapid  growth  and  development 
will  take  place  in  the  organs,  of  the  digestive 
system,  the  stomach,  livew,  intestines,  pan- 
creas, etc.,  and  this  growth  is  greater  in  the 
first  week  than  during  any  subsequent  period. 
It  is  during  this  first  week  that  the  success 
or  failure  of  the  milk  cure  is  usually  -de- 
termined, and  this  growth,  or  development, 
MUST  not  be  interfered  with. 

If  possible,  the  patient  should  be  within 
easy  reach  of  the  toilet  and  bathroom.  There 
must  be  no  dressing  to  go  outside  the  room 
to  a  toilet.  Have  a  capacious  slopjar  in  the 
room  and  a  urinal  to  use  in  the  bed,  especially 
in  cold  weather.  By  having  the  jar  near  the 
bed,  the  urinal  can  be  used,  and  emptied  into 
the  jar,  without  getting  up,  or  exposing  the 
person. 

A  small  table,  or  stand,  about  two  feet 
high,  is  required  near  the  head  of  the  bed, 
to  set  the  milk  can  and  glass  on,  and  for  such 
other  small  articles  as  may  be  required. 


20  MILK   DIET. 

A  two-quart  tin  can,  or  measure,  is  the 
most  convenient  and  best  receptacle  to  keep 
the  milk  in  at  the  bedside.  It  is  lighter  than 
any  pitcher,  and  unbreakable.  Have  two  nap- 
kins to  cover  the  milk  can  and  glass  between 
drinks.  Two  glasses  will  be  needed,  marked 
in  some  manner  to  indicate  5,  6,  or  7  ounces  of 
milk.  A  ring  can  be  scratched  around  a  plain 
glass  with  a  file  at  the  propef  point. 

An  old  established  custom  in  the  milk  cure 
is  that  of  using  one  glass  for  twenty-four 
hours,  without  washing.  I  still  adhere  to  this 
plan  in  my  personal  practice,  unless  patients 
find  it  disagreeable,  or  the  weather  is  very 
warm.  In  the  latter  case,  it  is  necessary 
to  serve  a  clean  glass  with  nearly  every  quart 
of  milk,  or  the  residue  remaining  after  drink- 
ing will  sour  the  next  glassful  of  milk. 

Doubtless  many  patients  could  use  a  clean 
glass  every  time  they  took  a  drink,  and  still 
derive  the  greatest  benefit,  but  it  is  possible, 
if  not  probable,  that  certain  cases  would  find  it 
unwise  to  change  their  glass  oftener  than 
once  or  twice  daily.  I  hesitate  to  change 
methods  that  have  proved  efficacious  for  so 
many  years. 

Of   the   many   places    which   have    started 


PRELIMINARY    ARRANGEMENTS.  21 

up  in  the  last  twenty-five  )^ears  with  the  inten- 
tion of  giving  an  "improved"  milk  diet  treat- 
ment, I  do  not  know  of  any  now  in  existence, 
except  one  or  two  recent  ones. 

A  clock  must  be  located  where  it  can 
easily  be  seen  from  the  bed.  Clocks  striking 
the  hours  and  half  hours  are  a  great  aid  in 
calling  the  patient's  attention  to  drinking 
time.  Good  clocks  of  this  description  can  be 
purchased  from  $2  up. 

Outside  of  the  necessary  articles  men- 
tioned, the  less  furniture  there  is  the  better 
it  will  be.  Chairs  for  visitors  are  not  particu- 
larly required,  for  there  should  be  no  visitors. 
If  absolutely  necessary,  visits  may  be  toler- 
ated, but  never  for  longer  than  half  an  hour  at 
a  time. 

A  daily  warm  water  bath  will  be  required 
and  the  arrangement  of  the  bathing  facilities 
is  one  of  the  things  that  requires  careful  at- 
tention. It  is  necessary  for  the  patient  to' 
enter  the  tub  while  the  water  is  somewhat 
cooler  than  the  body,  and  then  gradually 
warm  the  bath  to  the  body  temperature,  or  to 
such  a  temperature  as  will  be  entirely  com- 
fortable. This  necessitates  a  reserve  supply 


22  MILK    DIET. 

of  hot  water,  which  may  be  drawn  on  at  in- 
tervals during  the  bath  as  the  water  cools  off. 

The  ordinary  30-gallon  reservoir,  used  in 
connection  with  a  range  in  most  households, 
is  not  often  satisfactory,  because  drawing  the 
necessary  amount  of  hot  water  to  prepare  the 
bath  leaves  no  surplus,  and  it  is  most  annoy- 
ing to  open  the  hot  water  faucet  and  get  cold 
water. 

However,  if  the  tank  is  full  of  hot  water, 
and  the  fire  in  the  stove  is  kept  going  it  may 
work  all  right,  but  there  must  be  hot  water 
up  to  the  end  of  the  bath.  The  instantaneous 
gas  heaters,  if  properly  arranged,  are  satisfac- 
tory. If  the  heater  is  in  the  bathroom,  it 
must  have  a  flue  carrying  the  fumes  outside 
of  the  room.  The  best  arrangement  is  to  have 
a  gas  heater  in  connection  with  a  reservoir, 
preferably  in  another  room,  so  that  the  hot 
water  when  not  being  drawn  into  the  tub,  will 
be  collecting  in  the  reservoir.  I  have  found 
the  "Reliable"  heater,  made  in  Cleveland,  per- 
fectly satisfactory.  Those  instantaneous  heat- 
ers discharging  the  hot  water  directly  from 
the  heater  into  the  tub  are  not  so  well  adapted 
to  the  purpose,  and  some  of  them  are  termed 
by  plumbers  "contaminating,"  that  is,  the  gas 


PRELIMINARY    ARRANGEMENTS.  23 

fumes  come  in  contact  with  the  water,  or  pass 
through  it  as  they  escape.  Water  of  this 
character  is  dangerous  to  take  long  baths  in. 

There  is  serious  objection  to  having  the 
water  heating  apparatus  in  the  bathroom,  un- 
less the  room  is  large  and  well  ventilated.  The 
heater  uses  up  more  oxygen  than  the  lungs 
of  several  people  would.  Many  fatalities  have 
occurred  in  Southern  California  from  instan- 
taneous heaters  causing  the  asphyxiation  of 
the  inmates  of  bathrooms,  perhaps  chiefly  on 
account  of  the  habit  some  people  have  of 
shutting  the  bathroom  up  tightly  while  bath- 
ing. 

The  tub  itself  is  a  matter  of  considerable 
importance.  I  have  not  yet  seen  a  modern 
while  enameled  iron  tub  that  seemed  as  satis- 
factory as  the  old  copper  tubs,  chiefly  on  ac- 
count of  the  shape.  The  iron  tubs  are  moulded 
somewhat  like  a  huge  box,  with  flat  bottom 
and  vertical  sides.  Even  the  head  of  the  tub 
where  the  bather's  head  and  shoulders  rest, 
goes  almost  straight  down,  whereas  the  old 
style  had  a  gentle  slope  about  two  and  a  half 
feet  long,  making  a  comfortable  support  for 
the  tipper  part  of  the  trunk  and  head.  The 
copper  tubs  had  a  rounding  bottom  which 


24  MILK   DIET. 

fitted  the  body  better,  and  did  not  require  so 
much  water  to  cover  one,  and  the  metal  itself 
being  thin,  was  rapidly  warmed  by  the  hot 
water,  while  the  thick  iron  tubs  now  used  re- 
quire the  expenditure  of  considerable  heat 
simply  to  warm  up  the  tub.  The  iron  tubs 
stand  up  so  high  as  to  be  difficult  for  a  weak 
person  to  enter,  and  serious  accidents  have 
occurred  on  account  of  the  bather  slipping  aps 
he  left  the  tub.  Another  objection  is  the  loca- 
tion of  the  overflow  so  near  the  bottom  that 
the  tub  will  only  hold  a  few  inches  of  water. 
This  latter  fault  may  sometimes  be  remedied 
by  unscrewing  the  fixture  and  covering  the 
outlet  with  a  thin  rubber  sheet,  or  filling  it  up 
with  putty.  Sometimes  the  overflow  may  be 
stopped  by  simply  putting  a  piece  of  paper 
over  it,  when  the  force  of  the  water  will  hold 
the  paper  tight  against  it.  The  tub  ought 
to  be  deep  enough  and  long  enough  to 
hold  sufficient  water  to  cover  the  shoulders 
when  the  patient  is  extended  at  lull  length, 
and  for  this  purpose  a  six-foot  tub  is  usually 
necessary.  A  five  and  a  half  foot,  or  even  five 
foot  tub  may  be  used  by  short  people,  or 
ladies,  but  the  six  foot  is  best.  A  canvas  head 
rest  may  be  used,  if  necessary,  or  a  rubber 


PRELIMINARY    ARRANGEMENTS.  25 

cushion,  or  hot.  water  bag  full  of  air,  to  rest 
the  head  on.  The  trouble  with  most  ladies  is 
that  they  object  to  wetting  the  hair,  while 
men  as  a  rule,  enjoy  lying  in  the  tub  with  the 
water  up  to  their  mouths,  and  it  is  best  that 
they  should  do  this. 

The  patient  should  have  a  bathrobe  to 
wear  in  going  from  the  sleeping  room  to  the 
bathroom,  and  a  pair  of  easy  slippers.  Felt 
slippers  are  the  best,  as  they  do  not  require 
stockings,  and  are  warm  and  comfortable. 
Hundreds  of  times  I  have  seen  patients,  after 
taking  a  warm  bath,  leave  the  bathroom  with 
only  bathrobes  and  slippers  on,,  go  outdoors 
to  their  beds,  in  all  kinds  of  weather,  and  I 
never  knew  of  any  of  them  "taking  cold." 

In  regard  to  milk,  a  few  necessary  general 
rules  will  be  given  here.  What  is  required  is 
good,  clean  milk  as  it  comes  from  the  cow, 
without  the  removal  or  addition  of  any  sub- 
stance whatsoever.  Boiled,  sterilized  or  pas- 
teurized milk,  or  milk  artificially  preserved  in 
any  way,  cannot  be  used  for  this  treatment. 

In  well-managed  modern  dairies  the  hand- 
ling of  milk  is  so  systematized  that  there  is  no 
particular  trouble  in  keeping  the  milk  sweet 
until  used.  Dairies  that  are  not  cleanly,  or 


26  MILK    DIET. 

have  not  proper  appliances,  often  use  some 
means  of  preserving  the  milk,  by  stopping 
the  activity  of  the  acid-forming  bacteria. 
These  bacteria  are  not  dangerous  to  health, 
and  the  methods  of  restraining  or  destroying 
them  are  without  effect  on  the  bacteria  of  con- 
sumption, typhoid,  or  other  fevers  that  might 
contaminate  milk  in  certain  places.  Pro- 
longed boiling  will  destroy  any  germ,  but 
boiled  milk  alone  will  not  sustain  life  in  either 
the  infant  or  the  adult.  Pasteurizing  milk  or 
heating  to  150  F.,  or  less,  can  have  no  effect 
on  the  pathogenic  bacteria  and  renders  it  un- 
suitable for  human  use.  Dogs  fed  on  pas- 
teurized milk  only,  are  liable  to  have  the 
mange  and  other  disorders,  while  others  of 
the  same  litter  thrive  on  sweet  and,  sour  milk. 
There  are  several  chemical  preservatives 
sold  to  dairymen  by  manufacturers  who  claim 
they  are  harmless.  They  are  prohibited  by  the 
laws  of  most  states.  Some  of  them  containing 
borax  are  not  exactly  poisonous  in  the  amount 
one  would  ordinarily  get  in  milk;  but  they 
render  the  milk  much  less  digestible  and  in  a 
weak  baby  or  invalid  adult  might  readily  be 
the  contributing  cause  of  death.  Others  like 
salicylic  acid,  or  formaldehyde  or  formalin,  are 


PRELIMINARY    ARRANGEMENTS.  27 

distinct  poisons.  There  is  no  harmless  pre- 
servative of  milk;  whatever  prevents  its  de- 
composition will  also  render  it  more  or  less 
indigestible. 

The  manner  in  which  milk  is  handled 
makes  a  great  difference  in  its  keeping  quali- 
ties. Milk  which  is  cooled  and  aerated  imme- 
diately after  being  drawn,  will  keep  for  days; 
while,  on  the  other  hand,  milk  which  is  left 
to  stand  with  the  animal  heat  in  it,  will  often 
be  stale  within  twelve  hours,  and  sour  in  less 
than  twenty-four  hours. 

Milk  from  Holstein  cows  is  the  best  for  the 
purpose,  next  that  from  Durhams  or  Short- 
horns, and  last  that  of  the  pure  Jersey  and 
Guernsey,  or  Alderneys,  as  the  two  latter 
breeds  were  formerly  called.  Milk  from  Jer- 
sey cows  may  be  used,  but  it  should  usually 
be  skimmed  after  standing  two  to  four  hours 
to  reduce  the  amount  of  cream.  Many  people 
anxious  to  gain  weight,  think  they  should 
take  all  the  cream  possible.  This  is  a  mistake, 
as  the  fat  in  the  milk  does  not  normally  make 
flesh  in  the  body.  The  flesh  built  up  on  a 
milk  diet  is  derived  almost  entirely  from  the 
proteids  and  carbohydrates,  namely:  casein, 
albumin,  etc.,  and  milk  sugar,  If  the  fat  of 


28  MILK    DIET. 

a  full  milk  diet  was  deposited  in  the  body  it 
would  mean  a  gain  of  about  half  a  pound  of 
pure  fat  daily. 

Milk  contains  all  the  salts  necessary  for 
the  building  up  of  every  part  of  the  body.  It 
has  iron,  potassium,  phosphorous,  sodium, 
lime,  magnesium,  fluorin,  etc.,  and  altogether 
contains  about  twenty  elements. 

Dairy  milk,  or  milk  from  a  herd  of  cows 
gives  a  more  even  average  of  fat  and  other 
contents  than  the  milk  from  one  cow  would. 
There  is  no  advantage  in  having  one  cow  set 
aside  for  your  use,  unless  by  so  doing  you 
secure  Holstein  milk. 

The  milk  should  be  delivered  fresh,  morn- 
ing and  evening,  about  two-thirds  of  the  total 
quantity  in  the  morning,  and  one-third  at 
night.  In  the  cities  the  milk  is  usually  ten  to 
fourteen  hours  old  before  being  delivered. 
Many  of  my  patients  have  taken  the  diet  suc- 
cessfully under  these  conditions,  but  I  think 
the  average  results-  are  better  with  fresher 
milk. 


CHAPTER  II. 
STARTING  THE  TREATMENT. 

In  severe  cases  of  illness,  the  success  of  the 
milk  cure  depends  on  the  faithfulness  with 
which  the  details  are  followed.  Some  of  these 
details  often  seem  unimportant  to  those  who 
know  little  of  the  treatment,  but,  in  any  case 
where  a  successful  result  has  not  been  ob- 
tained, it  has  always  been  easy  to  point  to 
faults  of  commission  or  omission. 

It  is  true  that  many  people  have  derived 
great  benefit  from  a  milk  diet  taken  otherwise 
than  as  I  advise,  or  only  partially  following 
my  instructions,  but  I  believe  that  the  plan  I 
give  herein  is  one  that  is  always  successful, 
enabling  the  patient  to  xtake  the  proper 
amount  of  milk,  and  secure  the  desired  results, 
without  any  danger. 

Before  commencing  the  milk  diet,  it  is 
usually  advisable,  and  often  necessary,  to  take 
a  fast  from  ordinary  foods. 

For  the  ordinary  case,  where  the  digestion 


30  MILK   DIET. 

is  more  or  less  impaired,  and  particularly 
where  constipation  is  present,  the  fast  should 
continue  at  least  36  hours,  hut  the  patient  is 
allowed  to  eat  ripe  fresh  and  dried  fruits,  in 
such  quantities  as  may  he  eaten  with  a  relish, 
and  as  much  water  may  he  taken  as  possible 
with  comfort. 

While  I  have  often  started  patients  on 
milk  only  five  or  six  hours  after  their  last 
meal,  sometimes  I  have  regretted  it  and 
thought  that  a  day's  fast  would  have  saved 
time.  If  there  is  a  class  of  patients  who  can 
do  without  the  fast,  it  is  the  thin,  weak, 
anemic  people,  such  as  consumptives,  neuras- 
thenics, etc.,  especially  those  whose  bowels  are 
in  the  habit  of  moving  freely  every  day.  Such 
patients  take  milk  greedily; v they  soak  it  up 
like  a  sponge,  there  is  no  initial  constipation 
nor  nausea,  and  the  rapid  increase  in  circula- 
tion causes  a  quick  elimination  of  the  im- 
purities in  the  blood  and  bowels. 

On  the  other  hand,  those  who  are  stout, 
plethoric,  rheumatic,  gouty,  dropsical,  consti- 
pated, or  who  have  had  skin  or  blood  disease, 
diabetes,  headaches,  coated  tongue,  prolapsed 
or  dilated  stomach,  or  any  displaced  organ, 
should  take  at  least  one  day's  fast,  and  many 


STARTING    THE    TREATMENT  31 

people  will  be  benefited,  and  gain  time  in  the 
end,  by  extending  the  fast  over  several  days. 

Those  who  are  not  accustomed  to  fasting 
periods  are  usually  agreeably  surprised  to  find 
there  is  no  particular  inconvenience  to  this 
part  of  the  program,  and  when  the  time  comes 
to  start  in  drinking  milk,  it  goes  down  with  a 
relish;  the  stomach  makes  no  objection,  and 
the  bowels  move  naturally.  Another  import- 
ant consideration  is  the  fact  that  the  organs 
of  digestion  are,  so  to  speak,  caught  at  low 
tide,  at  their  minimum  bulk  and  activity,  and 
building  up  rapidly  in  size  and  function,  as 
they  do  on  the  milk  diet,  while  the  mind  and 
body  are  in  a  state  of  as  complete  rest  as  possi- 
ble, there  is  a  natural  tendency  to  make  good 
cells,  good  tissues,  and  healthy  organs,  and  to 
overcome  any  abnormal  habit  or  loss  of  nat- 
ural function  that  may  have  been  contracted 
by  any  organ. 

During  the  fast  it  is  not  necessary  to  take 
rest,  or  refrain  from  the  usual  work  or  habits; 
in  fact  I  think  most  patients  are  benefited  by 
active  exercise  the  day  before  commencing  the 
milk. 

In -beginning  the  diet,  take  the  weight  in 
the  morning,  with  as  little  clothing  on  as  pos- 


32  MILK   DIET. 

sible.  Make  a  list  of  what  you  wear,  and  at 
the  end  of  the  week,  wearing  the  same  outfit, 
weigh  at  the  same  hour  of  the  day.  More- 
exact  results  are  secured  by  emptying  the 
bladder  each  time  before  weighing. 

Measurements  should  be  taken  of  the 
limbs,  hips,  waist,  neck,  and  especially  of  the 
chest,  both  expanded  and  contracted,  and 
comparisons  made  from  time  to  time. 

In  regard  to  the  amount  of  milk  to  be 
taken,  I  will  make  the  following  statement: 
The  average  adult,  when  consuming  daily 
two  to  four  quarts  of  milk  containing  4  per 
cent,  of  butter  fat  and  9  per  cent,  of  other 
solids,  will  not  lose  flesh;  with  another  quart 
or  two  they  will  gain  weight,  and  with  a  still 
further  increase  of  a  pint  or  two  they  will  se- 
cure the  necessary  energy  and  stimulation  to 
throw  off  disease. 

There  are  several  arbitrary  rules  as  to  the 
quantity  necessary,  such  as  taking  an  ounce 
and  a  half  of  milk  for  each  pound  of  the 
normal  weight  or  the  highest  weight  in  health, 
or,  taking  a  quart  of  milk  for  every  foot  in 
height,  but  none  of  these  will  fit  all  cases. 
They  are,  however,  a  useful  guide,  especially 
in  estimating  the  amount  to  be  given  children, 


STARTING   THE    TREATMENT  33 

when  the  first  rule  can  be  safely  followed. 

The  last  thousand  cases  that  I  have  had 
under  observation  have  averaged  about  six 
quarts  of  milk  daily,  containing  from  3^  to 
4  per  cent,  of  butter  fat,  and  9  per  cent,  of 
solids  not  fat.  The  males  usually  go  over  that 
amount,  and  the  average  female  patient  will 
take  slightly  less. 

It  is  wrong,  if  not  positively  dangerous,  to 
attempt  the  exclusive  milk  diet  on  any  amount 
of  milk  less  than  that  required  to  noticeably 
stimulate  the  circulation  and  promote  body 
growth.  A  possible  exception  might  be  made 
in  the  case  of  convalescents  from  severe,  acute 
fevers,  where  a  few  glasses  of  milk  daily 
might  keep  them  going  temporarily  until  the 
ability  to  digest  solid  food  was  recovered. 
Even  in  those  cases,  water  would  be  a  safer 
drink,  and  probably  would  do  as  much  good. 

There  is  no  half-way  method  of  taking  the 
milk  diet  for  people  who  have  much  the  mat- 
ter with  them.  Enough  milk  must  be  taken 
to  create  new  circulation,  new  cells,  and  new 
tissue  growth,  and  cause  prompt  elimination 
of  the  wraste  and  dead  matter  that  may  be 
poisoning  the  system. 

A  patient  should  start  with  the  full  amount 


34  MILK    DIET. 

of  milk;  cases  that  begin  on  a  smaller  quantity 
and  try  to  work  up  to  the  proper  amount, 
often  fail  to  get  the  best  results.  They  get 
the  stomach  in  the  notion  of  taking  three  or 
four  quarts,  and  then  find  it  difficult  to  in- 
crease the  amount,  while  those  who  start  on, 
say,  six  quarts  daily,  have  little  or  no 
trouble  after  the  first  day  or  two.  In  begin- 
ning in  this  way  we  take  the  stomach  by 
surprise,  and  as  the  milk  keeps  coming,  the 
stomach  is  compelled  to  dispose  of  it,  and 
soon  does  so,  in  the  natural  way,  without 
difficulty.  It  is  rather  common  for  patients 
to  say,  the  afternoon  of  the  first  day,  that 
they  feel  so  full  they  cannot  take  another 
glass,  but  as  they  continue  taking  the  regular 
quantity,  ways  and  means  are  provided,  and 
the  sensation  disappears  the  same  day  or  that 
night,  and  does  not  return. 

On  the  contrary,  if  you  humor  the 
stomach,  and  stop  when  it  desires  you  to,  you 
will  likely  have  to  repeat  the  whole  process. 

It  must  be  remembered  that  stomachs  of 
this  kind  are  not  normal,  and  have  been  out 
of  condition  so  long  that  they  are  not  compe- 
tent judges  of  what  is  best  for  them. 

On    the   morning    the    milk    diet    is     com- 


STARTING   THE   TREATMENT  35 

mcnced,  the  patient  remains  in  bed  and  takes 
the  first  drink  as  soon  as  the  milk  is  available, 
but.  starting  on  the  even  hour,  or  half  hour, 
and  takes  the  same  amount  every  half  hour, 
"['he  next,  and  following  day's  drinking  begins 
as  soon  as  the  patient  is  awake  in  the  morn- 
ing, using  the  milk  supplied  the  previous 
evening.  The  amount  of  milk  taken  in 
twenty-four  hours  is  calculated  from  the  time 
the  first  glass  of  the  new  day's  supply  is 
taken,  until  the  same  time  the  next  morning. 

If  six  quarts  is  the  daily  amount,  use  a 
glass  marked  to  contain  six  ounces;  if  seven 
quarts  is  the  allowance,  take  seven  ounces  in 
a  drink.  If  five  and  a  half  quarts  are  taken, 
the  glass  should  hold  five  and  a  half  ounces, 
and  so  on.  Using  these  amounts  there  will  be 
32  drinks  taken  in  twenty-four  hours.  If  the 
first  drink  is  taken  at  6  a.  m.,  and  none  are 
missed,  by  8:30  p.  m.  30  drinks  will  have  been 
taken,  two  to  be  taken  anytime  in  the  night 
when  awake. 

This  is  the  only  way  that  such  an  amount 
of  milk  can  be  absorbed  by  a  weak  stomach; 
and  it  IS  always  absorbed,  digested,  or  dis- 
charged, where  the  directions  here  given  are 
followed. 


36  MILK    DIET. 

It  is  necessary  to  be  exact  as  to  the  time 
and  quantity  taken.  Each  glass  should  he 
sipped  slowly,  taking  several  minutes  to  finish 
it.  The  milk  must  he  mixed  with  the  secre- 
tions of  the  mouth.  Do  not  gulp  it,  or  let  it 
run  down  the  throat,  as  you  might  water. 
Now  and  then  I  come  across  a  patient  who 
will  take  long  draughts  of  milk,  say  two 
ounces  at  a  pull,  hut  drawn  into  the  mouth  in 
a  rather  small  stream.  They  are  young  people 
with  active  salivary  glands,  and  doubtless  the 
action  of  sucking  the  milk  through  a  small 
mouth  opening,  at  the  same  time  draws  saliva 
into  the  mouth.  Such  patients  say  the  milk 
tastes  better  to  them  taken  in  that  manner 
than  it  does  when  taken  in  small  swallows 
and  "swished"  around  in  the  mouth  by  the 
tongue,  but  the  latter  is  the  safest  way  to 
start  on.  A  straw,  or  glass  tube,  or  drinking 
cup  may  be  used. 

Many  patients  sleep  more  than  half  the 
time.  If  asleep  when  drinking  time  comes, 
take  your  glass  when  you  awaken,  but  do  not 
try  to  make  up  for  lost  time.  Continue  thirty 
minutes  apart.  Milk  is  supposed  to  require 
about  one  and  a  half  hours  for  digestion,  and 
all  dietetic  plans  before  this  have  allowed  at 


STARTING    THE    TREATMENT  37 

least  that  much  time  between  meals.  I  use 
the  half-hour  interval  because  it  gives  the 
best  results.  Milk  is  curdled  as  soon  as  it 
arrives  in  the  stomach;  the  salts  and  water 
begin  to  be  absorbed  immediately,  other  por- 
tions are  passed  on  to  the  intestines,  where 
the  fat  is  quickly  absorbed  by  the  lacteals. 
The  nitrogenous  portions  may  not  be  taken  up 
into  the  blood  for  twenty-four  hours.  So  it 
is  useless  to  set  any  particular  time  for  the 
digestion  of  milk  or  other  food.  Doubtless  a 
part  of  the  milk  will  still  be  in  the  stomach 
at  the  end  of  thirty  minutes,  but  its  mixture 
with  a  fresh  portion  lias  no  bad  effect.  On 
the  contrary  it  works  well  in  practice. 

A  patient,  in  describing  the  effect,  once 
said :  "After  fairly  started  the  first  glasses 
seem  to  pull  the  others  after  them  by  suc- 
tion." 

Tf  an  invalid's  stomach  is  very  weak,  or 
particularly  deficient  in  the  digestive  juices, 
and  especially  if  the  milk  is  taken  too  rapidly, 
tough  curds  may  be  formed  in  the  stomach, 
which  are  slow  and  hard  to  digest.  In  the 
vomit  of  persons  who  Were  drinking  quanti- 
ties of  milk  too  quickly,  or  at  too  low  a  tem- 
perature, I  have  seen  these  cheesy  bodies  so 


38  MILK    DIET. 

large  and  firm  that  it  seemed  impossible  that 
they  could  have  come  up  through  the 
oesophagus.  Where  the  conditions  that  I 
recommend  as  to  rest,  bathing,  air,  and  the 
small  frequent  and  regular  drinks  of  milk 
have  been  followed,  I  have  never  known  of 
these  curds  being  formed  in  such  amounts  as 
to  prevent  their  digestion,  with  the  exception 
of  a  few  very  weak  people  who  were  attempt- 
ing to  take  their  milk  cold,  or  at  the  tempera- 
ture of  the  room. 

I  usually  start  patients  on  milk  which  is 
near  the  room  temperature,  or  at  least  not  be- 
low 60  degrees  F.,  but  if  there  are  symptoms 
within  the  first  two  or  three  days  of  indiges- 
tion, distress  in  stomach,  nausea,  or  vomiting 
of  thick  curds,  the  patient  goes  on  warm  milk 
immediately  and  does  not  take  any  cold  milk 
for  two  or  three  weeks. 

Tn    cold    weather,    if    any    trouble    of    this 

kind   is   anticipated,   it    is    better   to   start   on 

warm  milk  at  the  beginning,  but  in  nineteen 

cases  out  of  twenty,      especially      in      mirtid 

weather,  it  is  unnecessary  to  warm  the  milk. 

On  cold  nights,  if  drinking  the  cold  milk 
prevents  the  patient  getting  to  sleep  again, 
provision  should  be  made  for  warming  it. 


STARTING    THE    TREATMENT  39 

There  is  only  one  satisfactory  way  of 
warming  the  milk,  and  that  is  to  have  a  pan 
containing  about  three  inches  of  warm,  al- 
most hot,  water,  and  set  each  glass  of  milk 
in  it  for  two  or  three  minutes  until  it  is 
warmed  through.  The  milk  ought  to  be  about 
blood  heat,  although  it  can  be  heated  in  this 
way  to  120  degrees  without  harming  it,  but 
Ihe  milk  must  not  be  left  long  in  the  water, 
and  must  be  taken  immediately.  No  more 
than  one  glass  can  be  heated  at  a  time.  The 
most  convenient  way  of  keeping  the  pan  of 
water  hot  is  a  small  oil  stove,  kept  burning 
continuously  at  such  a  heat  as  may  be  neces- 
sary. If  the  patient  has  no  nurse  the  whole 
arrangement  must  be  set  near  the  bed  so  the 
patient  can  prepare  the  milk  without  getting 
up.  Taking  this  warmed  milk,  according  to 
the  other  directions,  indigestible  curds  are 
never  formed. 

The  secretions  of  the  mouth  may  have  no 
digestive  action  on  milk,  as  there  is  no  starch 
in  the  latter,  but  the  mechanical  effect  of  the 
addition  of  the  fluids  is  important.  Outside 
of  the  milk  cure,  some  weak  stomachs  can 
take  milk  diluted  with  water,  and  assimilate 
it,  where  straight  milk  disagrees.  Infants  are 


40  MILK    DIET. 

usually  given  milk  largely  diluted  with  water, 
but  a  healthy  infant  can  generally  take  pure 
milk  without  trouble.  In  any  case  the  water 
should  be  gradually  reduced  and  omitted  as 
soon  as  possible.  Skimmed  milk  is  often 
easier  for  a  weak  stomach  to  digest  than  full 
milk.  Milk  from  which  the  cream  has  been 
extracted  by  a  centrifugal  separator  is  better 
for  dietetic  purposes  than  ordinary  skim  milk, 
and  either  is  preferable  to  milk  diluted  with 
water. 

The  taking  of  at  least  one  or  two  drinks 
during  the  night  is  a  valuable  assistance  in 
getting  clown  the  necessary  quantity  of  milk. 
Constipated  people  should  never  omit  this. 
It  is  not  necessary  to  give  the  stomach  a  rest 
while  taking  the  milk  cure.  It  does  not  need 
a  rest  on  an  exclusive  milk  diet,  any  more 
than  a  baby's  stomach  does.  Other  organs  are 
resting,  but  the  stomach  is  being  built  up  to 
a  state  of  maximum  efficiency.  It  is  very 
unwise  to  omit  drinking  the  milk  at  a  regular 
time  because  you  don't  feel  like  taking  it.  If 
the  stomach  has  been  out  of  order  for  a  long 
time,  there  may  be  a  good  many  disagreeable 
symptoms,  such  as  bad  taste  in  the  mouth, 
thick  coat  on  the  tongue,  gas  on  the  stomach, 


STARTING   THE    TREATMENT  41 

with  considerable  pain,  nausea,  and  even  vom- 
iting, hut  none  of  these  should  prevent  the 
patient  taking-  the  regular  drinks.  The  omis- 
sion of  a  glass  or  two,  instead  of  making  one 
feel  more  comfortable,  really  has  the  opposite 
effect,  because  the  constant,  regular  proces- 
sion of  milk  through  the  alimentary  canal  is 
interfered  with,  and  it  begins  to  "come  back," 
when,  if  the  milk  was  kept  going  down,  it 
would  carry  the  gas  down  with  it  into  the  in- 
testines, where  it  belongs.  If,  in  a  case  of 
this  kind,  the  milk  is  stopped  for  some  hours, 
all  disagreeable  symptoms  cease,  and  the  pa- 
tient will  find  he  has  a  better  stomach  than 
he  had  before  starting  the  treatment,  but 
the  cure  has  only  been  a  partial  one,  and  it 
may  be  even  harder  to  get  over  the  critical 
point  next  time. 

It  takes  a  long  experience  in  this  work  to 
give  one  the  necessary  confidence  to  tell  a 
patient  to  continue  the  treatment  under  these 
circumstances,  but  it  is  an  absolute  fact  that 
I  have  never  seen  any  harm  result  from  stick- 
ing to  the  diet,  (while  resting,)  and  the 
troubles  are  only  the  natural  explosions  due  to 
the  revolution  going  on  in  the  stomach.  If 
there  is  any  better  way  to  cure  an  old  chronic 


42  MILK    DIET. 

case  of  indigestion,  with  a  shrivelled  up, 
weakened  and  almost  juiceless  stomach,  I 
never  discovered  it. 

If  the  patient  is  lacking  in  will  power,  a*nd 
cannot,  or  will  not,  take  the  regular  amount  of 
milk  each  time,  it  is  a  great  deal  better  to  take 
half  a  glass  than  none,  and  resume  the  full 
amount  at  the  earliest  possible  opportunity. 

Fortunately,  there  are  very  few  people  who 
have  such  a  hard  time  on  the  milk  diet,  and 
they  are  most  all  elderly  people  who  have  been 
in  ill-health  for  many  years.  But  even  in  this 
class  of  cases,  less  than  two  per  cent,  have 
failed  to  carry  on  the  treatment  to  a  satisfac- 
tory result. 

The  patient  must  have  a  warm  bath  daily, 
and  it  is  usually  taken  in  the  forenoon. 
Where  there  is  any  tendency  to  insomnia  the 
bath  can  be  given  in  the  evening  and  usually 
has  a  good  effect  in  overcoming  that  trouble. 
The  first  bath  should  last  only  15  or  20  min- 
utes, increasing  the  time  about  15  minutes 
every  day  until  the  patient  is  staying  in  the 
water  at  least  one  hour.  Use  no  soap  in  the 
bath. 

The  bath  should  be  prepared  with  a  tem- 
perature of  94  or  95  F.,  and,  as  soon  as  the 


STARTING   THE    TREATMENT  43 

bather  becomes  accustomed  to  this  sudden 
change  from  the  air  temperature,  he  should 
gradually  add  hot  water  until  he  feels  per- 
fectly comfortable,  neither  hot  nor  cold.  The 
thermometer  will  then  indicate  about  98  or  99, 
although  people  differ  several  degrees  in  their 
sensations.  The  temperature  must  be  kept  at 
this  point  until  nearly  ready  to  leave  the  bath; 
then  enough  hot  water  should  be  added  to 
produce  a  thoroughly  warm  feeling  through- 
out the  body.  . 

These  three  items  in  regard  to  the  water 
temperature  must  be  remembered: 

Start  slightly  below  body  temperature, 
Increase  to  the  body  temperature, 
Finish  almost  hot,   (but   never  enough   to 
cause  dizziness.) 

In  very  hot  weather  I  have  found  it  .wise  to 
reduce  the  temperature  of  the  bath  at  the  start 
a  few  degrees — to  abstract  heat  instead  of 
adding  it.  The  principle  to  be  followed  is  to 
keep  the  patient  entirely  comfortable,  and  if, 
for  any  reason,  he  is  not  comfortable,  he 
should  get  out  of  the  bath. 

Having  the  water  too  hot  on  entering  will 
cause  a  slight  attack  of  indigestion,  in  the 


44  MILK    DIET. 

same  way  that    a  hot    bath    affects    one  when 
taken  too  soon  after  a  full  meal. 

The  bathroom  must  be  ventilated  in  every 
way  -possible,  and  the  milk  taken  at  the  reg- 
ular time  while  bathing. 

Ladies  who  object  to  wetting  the  hair  can 
wear  rubber  bathing  caps,  but  it  is  better  to  do 
without  them.  The  circulation  of  blood  in  the 
scalp  is  so  much  greater  than  usual  that  the 
warm  skin  dries  the  head  rapidly  and  there  is 
no  discomfort  where  the  hair  does  not  have  to 
be  "put  up"  immediately.  With  very  serious 
cases  it  is  better  to  cut  the  hair  to  a  conven- 
ient length ;  it  grows  rapidly  and  will  be  much 
stronger.  Tn  any  case  the  hair  ceases  to  fall 
out,  for  it  responds  quickly  to  the  general  con- 
dition of  the  body. 

Regarding  bathing  by  females  during  the 
menstrual  period,  I  will  say  that  I  have  never 
known  of  any  harmful  result  from  the  prac- 
tice, but  if  they  prefer,  the  baths  may  be  omit- 
ted for  a  few  days  at  this  time. 

One  seldom  need  be  afraid  of  putting  the 
ears  under  water.  If  the  eardrum  is  perfor- 
ated the  ear  can  be  plugged  temporarily  with 
cotton.  I  have  seen  deafness  unexpectedly 


STARTING   THE   TREATMENT  45 

cured  by  the  combined  diet  and  bullring  wlrile 
ur.dcrcroing1  treatment  for  other  diseases. 

The  proper  way  to  take  the  bath  is  to  have 
enough  water  to  submerge  all  the  body  ex- 
cept the  face  and  lie  at  perfect  ease  with  all 
muscles  relaxed  and  the  shoulders  supported 
by  the  sloping  head  of  the  tub,  or  some  con- 
trivance such  as  a  water  bag,  air  cushion  or 
canvas  strap. 

Breathe  deeply  and  occasionally  sink  the 
face  under  water,  closing  the  nostrils,  if  nee-- 
essary,  with  the  thumb  and  finger. 

On  finishing  the  bath  do  not  use  cold 
water  or  the  shower  bath,  and  if  possible 
avoid  draughts  of  cold  air,  not  from  any 
danger  of  "catching  cold,''  but  to  prevent  the 
stimulation  to  the  skin. 

The  reasons  for  giving  baths  of  this 
description,  and  the  benefits  derived  from 
them,  will  be  explained  in  another  place.  I 
will  only  say  here  that  I  would  not  undertake 
to  give  the  milk  and  rest  cure  without  the  aid 
of  these  baths. 

On  getting  out  of  the  tub,  the  patient 
should  dry  himself  with  a  soft  towel,  without 
unnecessary  rubbing,  or  exercise,  put  on  his 
bathrobe,  and  return  at  once  to  bed.  Weak 


46  MILK    DIET. 

patients  may  have  the  aid  of  a  nurse  in  drying 
the  skin  and  returning  to  their  apartments. 

I  think  the  minimum  time  for  a  milk  diet 
course  should  be  four  weeks.  Three  weeks 
shotrld  be  devoted  to  the  rest  cure,  and  the  re- 
maining week  will  be  sufficient  to  gradually 
get  the  patient  up,  and  on  solid  food.  In  a 
considerable  number  of  cases  patients  may 
continue  using  milk  as  a  diet,  if  their  circum- 
stances permit,  after  resuming  their  occupa- 
tions, or  ordinary  habits.  I  have  letters  from 
different  people  who  state  that  they  have  lived 
on  milk  for  long  periods,  often  several  years, 
in  one  case  21  years.  All  these  persons  began 
the  use  of  milk  for  some  serious  ailment,  and 
yet  every  one  of  them  seems  to  be  in  a  state  of 
vigorous  health  and  vitality  now.  The  case  of 
Dr.  Herman  Schwartz,  an  Austrian  physician, 
who  has  lived  on  milk  exclusively  for  23  years, 
is  interesting,  as  from  all  accounts  he  is  in  the 
best  of  health  and  strength.  He  is  said  to  take 
three  gallons  daily.  One  of  the  best  public 
speakers  on  the  Pacific  Coast  has  lived  wholly 
on  milk  for  four  years. 

If  milk  can  be  taken  often  enough  one  can 
endure  mote  cold  than  on  any  other  diet.  I 
have  lived  in  the  open  air  in  winter  with  pa- 


STARTING   THE   TREATMENT  47 

tients  where  we  had  to  thaw  the  milk  before 
we  could  use  it.  You  can  get  more  energy  and 
heat  out  of  a  quart  of  milk  than  an  Esquimo 
can  out  of  a  pound  of  blubber. 

T  can  state  here  as  a  positive  fact  that  an 
immense  amount  of  physical  or  mental  labor 
may  be  done  on  a  milk  diet.  A  young  friend 
of  mine  lived  on  about  five  quarts  of  milk  per 
day  during  two  terms  of  college  just  before 
graduation  and  won  second  honors  in  a  class 
of  over  300,  and  finished  in  fine  physical  con- 
dition. His  board  cost  him  about  $10  per 
month. 

Prof.  Weir  Mitchell  in  "Fat  and  Blood," 
page  125,  says:  "I.  have  seen  several  times  ac- 
tive men,  even  laboring  men,  live  for  long  per- 
iods on  milk,  with  no  loss  of  weight;  but  large 
quantities  have  to  be  used — two  and  a  half 
to  three  gallons  daily.  A  gentleman,  a  diabetic, 
was  under  my  observation  for  fifteen  years, 
during  the  whole  of  which  time  he  took  no 
other  food  but  milk  and  carried  on  a  large  and 
prosperous  business.  Milk  may,  therefore,  be 
safely  asserted  to  be  a  sufficient  food  in  itself, 
even  for  an  adult,  if  only  enough  of  it  be 
taken." 

The  gifted  writer,  Mrs.  Ella  Wheeler  Wil- 


48  MILK    DIET. 

cox,  says:  "I  believe  in  the  milk  diet,  because  I 
have  taken  it  with  results  so  marvelous,  and  so 
beneficial,  that  all  Mr.  Rockefeller's  money 
could  not  repay  me,  were  I  deprived  of  the 
knowledge  that  I  gained  by  the  experience.  A 
man  of  my  acquaintance  who  destroyed  his  di- 
gestion by  years  of  wrong  habits,  has  lived  for 
the  last  five  years  in  perfect  health  and 
strength  on  milk  alone.  He  is  able  to  work 
more  hours  with  less  fatigue,  than  any  of  his 
acquaintances.  He  possesses  a  marvelous 
complexion  and  is  never  ill. 

"Another  friend  who  had  been  a  hopeless 
invalid  for  ten  years,  through  complications  of 
diseases,  has  lived  on  milk  for  three  years,  and 
finds  herself  perfectly  well  unless  she  attempts 
to  return  to  solid  foods.  A  dozen  skilled  phy- 
sicians failed  to  give  her  even  three  days  of 
health,  until  she  gave  up  foods  for  milk.  Sev- 
enteen other  personal  friends  restored  their 
health,  and  the  ability  to  digest  a  natural,  var- 
ied diet,  by  taking  the  milk  treatment  for  a 
few  weeks." 

Where  it  is  the  intention  of  patients  to 
keep  on  with  the  milk  diet  for  very  long  after 
stopping  the  rest  cure,  it  is  advisable  for  them 
to  take  larger  doses,  at  less  frequent  intervals. 


STARTING   THE   TREATMENT  49 

Some  patients  who  had  been  a  long  time  on  a 
half-hour  schedule,  with  a  corresponding 
amount  of  milk,  have  said  that  they  found  it 
difficult  to  eat  enough  food  at  one  time  to  last 
them  until  the  next  meal.  There  is  usually  no 
difficulty  in  taking  twice  the  regular  quantity 
of  milk  every  hour  instead  of  half  as  much 
every  half  hour.  This  gives  more  time 
between  drinks  for  exercise,  or  business  af- 
fairs, and,  T  think  it  tends  to  fit  the  stomach 
better  for  the  distention  of  a  regular  meal, 
when  ordinary  diet  is  resumed. 

Business  men  often  carry  a  handbag  full  of 
Mason  pint  fruit  jars,  containing  milk,  and 
drink  one  of  these  at  convenient  times.  Quite 
a  number  of  old  patients  have  been  able  to 
drink  a  quart  of  milk  at  one  sitting. 

But  these  experiments  must  not  be  tried 
until  the  stomach  is  taking  the  small  and  fre- 
quent doses  without  any  discomfort,  and  the 
bowels  are  moving  regularly.  If  the  stomach 
is  not  handling  easily  the  smaller  drinks,  it 
will  be  of  no  use  to  attempt  the  larger  ones. 

A  course  of  four  weeks  should  ordinarily 
be  sufficient  to  cure  any  of  the  following  dis- 
eases : 

Nervous  prostration,  general  debility,  mild 
skin  troubles  such  as  pimples,  sallowness, 


50  MILK    DIET. 

wrinkles,  etc.,  simple  anemia,  catarrh,  bilious- 
ness, constipation,  dyspepsia,  indigestion,  hay 
fever,  piles,  insomnia,  ulcer  of  the  stomach, 
malaria,  arterio  sclerosis  (hard  arteries)  neu- 
ralgia, neurasthenia,  tobacco,  morphine  and 
cocaine  habits  and  the  first  stage  of  diseases 
like  consumption,  rheumatism  and  kidney  dis- 
ease. 

w 

In  more  advanced  cases  of  the  last  four 
named  or  other  chronic  organic  diseases  the 
diet  can  be  continued  as  long  as  visible  im- 
provement is  made,  or  until  cured. 

It  may  be  well  to  say  here  that  there  are 
crises  that  come  on  in  the  course  of  the  treat- 
ment, due  to  the  revolution  that  is  taking 
place  in  the  body.  None  of  them  is  an  indica- 
tion to  stop  the  milk,  quite  the  contrary.  The 
most  common  is  an  eruption  on  the  skin  of  the 
face,  body  or  limbs,  usually  coming  out  during 
the  second  or  third  week.  I  have  seen  large 
pimples  and  boils,  but  none  that  ever  left  a 
scar.  . 

I  wish  to  speak  particularly  of  crises  oc- 
curing  in  special  organs  that  are  or  have  been 
the  seat  of  disease.  You  may  think  there  is  a 
recurrence  of  the  disease,  but  do  not  have  the 
slightest  fear.  After  the  inflammation  or  ex- 
citement has  subsided  the  part  is  always  in  a 
better  condition  and  probably  entirely  healed 
for  the  first,  time. 


CHAPTER   III. 
REACTIONS    DURING    TREATMENT. 

Before  taking  up  the  consideration  of  the 
different  diseases,  I  will  here  describe  some  of 
the  reactions  that    take    place  on    a  full   milk 
diet. 

To  begin  with  the  circulation  of  the  blood, 
we  notice  directly,  in  every  case,  a  most  re- 
markable change.  Within  two  hours  after 
commencing  the  diet,  the  action  of  the  heart 
will  be  accelerated,  and  within  12  to  24  hours 
there  will  be  a  gain  of  about  six  beats  to  the 
minute.  Within  two  or  three  days  there  will 
be  an  increase  of  about  twelve  beats  to  the 
minute;  the  pulse  will  be  full  and  bounding; 
the  skin  flushed  and  moist;  the  capillary  cir- 
culation under  the  fingernails,  or  wherever  it 
may  be  examined,  quick  and  active.  All  this 
takes  place  with  the  patient  lying  as  quietly  as 
possible,  making  no  movement  unless  neces- 
sary— conditions  under  which  normally  on  an 


52  MILK    DIET. 

ordinary  diet,  the  circulation  would  be  much 
slower  than  usual. 

No  one  can  deny  the  benefit  of  this  condi- 
tion in  chronic  disease.  It  is  a  result  sought 
by  every  intelligent  doctor,  knowing  that 
through  the  circulation  only,  can  chronic  dis- 
ease be  cured.  None  of  the  usual  methods  of 
heart  stimulation,  such  as  alcohol  or  other 
drugs,  exercise,  massage,  hot  and  cold  baths, 
inhalations  of  oxygen,  solutions  injected  into 
the  veins,  or  transfusion  of  blood,  can  equal 
the  results  of  the  milk  diet  treatment  in  effect, 
in  permanency,  in  total  lack  of  danger.  This 
natural,  physiological  increase  of  circulation 
results  from  the  increased  amount  of  blood, 
created  in  the  natural  way,  by  the  stomach 
and  intestines,  acting  on  an  easily  assimilated 
food. 

There  is  no  dangerous  strain  on  the  heart, 
because  the  heart  itself  is  the  first  organ  to 
share  in  the  benefits  derived  from  the  better 
blood  circulating  through  it.  Many  patients 
with  serious  disease  of  the  heart,  organic  or 
functional,  valvular  or  nervous  disorders,  have 
taken  the  milk  diet  and  I  have*  never  heard  of 
any  but  good  results.  There  is  no  reason  to 
expect  otherwise  with  patients  having  com- 
plete rest. 


REACTIONS  DURING   TREATMENT.  53 

Nor  is  there  any  danger  to  the  kidneys,  in 
spite  of  their  greatly  increased  work,  for  in- 
valids with  badly  diseased  kidneys  take  the 
milk  diet  successfully.  Some  patients,  it  is 
true,  have  slight  pains  in  the  kidneys  during 
the  first  days  of  their  treatment.  It  is  always 
temporary,  and  due,  I  think,  to  a  rapid 
growth  of  the  organs,  so  rapid  that  the  sen- 
sitive covering  of  the  kidneys  is  stretched 
tightly  at  first. 

The  amount  of  urine  is  very  much  in- 
creased by  this  diet,  and  no  matter  what  its 
previous  condition,  whether  highly  acid,  or 
loaded  with  solids  or  salts  in  solution,  it  be- 
comes bland,  non-irritating,  and  almost  as 
clear  as  water. 

The  frequency  of  urination  is  a  little 
troublesome  at  first  but  in  a  few  days  the 
bladder  seems  to  be  able  to  retain  a  larger 
quantity  without  discomfort;  more  fluid 
leaves  the  body  in  the  perspiration,  which  is 
increased  by  the  improved  capillary  circula- 
tion in  the  skin,  and  probably  the  lungs 
throw  off  more  moisture.  However,  even 
then  many  patients  will  find  it  necessary  to 
get  ii]>  in  the  night  once  or  twice.  It  is  not 
advisable  to  hold  the  urine  very  long,  as  a 


54  MILK   DIET. 

portion  of  the  water  may  be  reabsorbed  into 
the   system. 

It  is  really  wonderful  how  the  various 
parts  of  the  body  accommodate  themselves 
to  the  great  changes  which  they  undergo  on 
the  milk  diet.  It  is  only  possible  because 
the  greatly  increased  blood  supply  brings 
with  it  all  the  necessary  materials  to  make 
these  changes,  and  a  plentiful  supply  of 
nourishment  for  every  cell,  of  every  tissue. 

In  ill  health  there  is  always  one  or  both 
of  two  conditions  of  the  blood,  viz.: 
Insufficient  quantity, 
Abnormal  quality. 

Disease  is  a  result'  of  a  disturbance  of  the 
mechanism  of  nutrition.  There  may  have 
been  predisposing  or  exciting  causes  in  the 
way  of  bacteria  or  heredity,  bad  food,  air,  or 
habits,  but  as  the  abnormal  condition  be- 
comes apparent  to  us,  we  see  the  evidence  of 
some  disturbance  of  the  processes  of  nutri- 
tion. 

There  is  a  continuous  battle  on  between 
the  forces  that  build  up  and  the  forces  that 
pull  down ;  between  the  cells  that  do  good 
and  those  that  do  harm."  Nature  is  always 
endeavoring  to  maintain  a  normal  standard 


REACTIONS  DURING   TREATMENT.  55 

against  any  agent  or  condition  that  may  at- 
tempt to  alter  it.  And  when  temporarily  or 
accidentally  that  standard  may  be  departed 
from,  we  see  immediately  an  attempt  to  re- 
pair the  damage. 

No  matter  what  the  abnormal  condition 
may  be,  whether  a  cut  or  bruise  of  the  skin, 
an  ulcer  in  the  lung,  or  the  presence  of  some 
poison  in  the  system,  there  is  a  continuous 
effort  on  the  part  of  the  natural  forces,  al- 
ways acting  through  the  circulation,  to  re- 
store the  normal  condition,  and  we  .can  assist 
that  effort  by  supplying  a  proper  quantity  of 
such  food  as  may  be  easily  turned  into  blood. 

On  the  condition  of  the  blood  depends  the 
outcome  of  the  struggle,  whether  life  or 
death,  a  short  or  long  illness. 

The  circulation  of  the  blood  is  nature's 
agent  in  eliminating  disease,  and,  increasing 
the  quantity  and  rapidity  of  the  blood  cur- 
rent while  improving  its  quality  will  assist 
that  elimination. 

In  a  great  many  maladies,,  whether 
caused  by  errors  of  diet  or  not,  the  digestive 
or  bloodmaking  power  is  weakened,  and  to 
continue  the  usual  food,  or  to  take  mixtures 
of  meat,  eggs,  starchy  materials  and  various 


56  MILK    DIET. 

drinks,  including  milk  and  alcoholic  bev- 
erages, increases  the  burden  on  organs  al- 
ready overtaxed. 

If,  in  addition  to  the  mixed  diet,  the  pa- 
tient is  given  medicines  for  the  relief  of  pain, 
or  for  the  reduction  of  temperature,  stim- 
ulants or  sedatives  for  the  heart,  cathartics 
for  the  bowels  or  diuretics  for  the  kidneys, 
expectorants  and  emetics,  hypnotics  and 
narcotics,  etc.,  etc.,  any  one  or  more  of 
them,  the  problem  .  for  the  circulation  to 
solve  becomes  indeed  a  complex  one,  for  each 
and  every  medicine  must  act  through  the 
blood,  whether  given  by  the  stomach  or 
through  the  skin.  Even  such  a  simple  hy- 
gienic measure  as  bathing,  by  bringing  the 
blood  to  the  skin  and  away  from  the  internal 
organs,  interferes  with  digestion,  if  that  pro- 
cess is  not  already  completed,  or  of  the  most 
simple  character. 

The  action  of  the  heart,  as  I  have  said, 
is  always  accelerated,  soon  after  commenc- 
ing the  milk  diet.  There  is  no  reaction 
from  this  condition.  The  effect  continues 
with  the  diet,  but  after  a  varying  time  the 
heart  may  slow  down  a  little  because  it  has 
become  strong  enough  to  do  the  work  with 


REACTIONS  DURING   TREATMENT.  57 

fewer  pulsations.  The  arteries  continue  full. 
The  heart  hypertrophies  physiologically,  just 
as  a  woman's  heart  does  in  her  first  preg- 
nancy. I  have  observed  it  many  times. 

Every  organ  in  the  body  is  hyperemic,  or 
congested  with  blood,  when  in  active  opera- 
tion, and  as  the  activity  increases,  so  does 
the  blood  supply. 

There  can  be  no  growth,  or  rebuilding,  or 
regenerating  of  any  portion  of  the  body,  with- 
out an  amount  of  blood  being  present  in  ex- 
cess of  the  ordinary  tissue-nourishing 
quantity. 

A  condition  of  anemia,  or  lack  of  blood, 
will  never  be  found,  when  the  body  is  suc- 
cessfully overcoming  disease. 

\Ye  hear  a  great  deal,  in  these  days,  of 
hyperemia  as  a  curative  agent,  following 
the  ideas  of  Prof.  Bier,  and  using  hot  air  ap- 
paratus to  cause  a  local  congestion  of  the 
diseased  parts. 

The  use  of  such  apparatus  indicates  that 
the  natural  circulation  is  defective  and  un- 
able to  push  the  necessary  amount  of  blood 
into  the  part. 

I  Jut    in   thus   interfering  with   the   circula- 


58  MILK    DIET. 

tion,  how  can  we  be  sure  that  we  are  im- 
proving matters? 

Do  we  know  how  to  force  just  the  proper 
amount  of  blood  to  a  diseased  part? 

Where  does  the  blood  come  from? 

Is  not  the  remainder  of  the  body  weak- 
ened, or  left  without  protection? 

Does  not  such  apparatus  bring  the  blood 
more  to  the  surface  and  away  from  the  deep- 
er and  perhaps  diseased  parts? 

Why  not  increase  the  blood  supply  na- 
turally all  over  the  body?  Why  use  appara- 
tus to  cause  a  local  congestion  when  there  is 
a  w.ell-known  function  of  the  body  to  attend 
to  just  such  things,  if  given  the  material  to 
work  with  ? 

When  we  suffer  an  injury  to  any  portion 
of  the  body,  such  as  a  bruise,  a  burn, 'a  for- 
eign body  needing  removal,  or  'the  presence 
of  irritating  bacteria,  or  their  products,  we 
do  not  have  to  wait  for  the  application  of 
any  artificial  apparatus.  The  congestion  be- 
gins at  once,  through  the  vaso-motor  system, 
ordered  and  controlled  by  the  sensory  and 
sympathetic  systems  of  nerves.  There  is  nev- 
er any  mistake  about  it;  the  congestion  ap- 


REACTIONS   DURING   TREATMENT.  59 

pears  promptly  in  exactly  the  right  spot  and 
no  other. 

Suppose  harmful  material  has  gained  ac- 
cess to  the  circulation,  he  it  chemical,  bac- 
terial, or  simply  a  loading  up  with  the  natural 
poisons  of  the  body  which  have  failed  to  be 
eliminated.  Fever  results.  Fever  is  only  a 
name  for  general  hyperemia,  and  hyperemia 
is  absolutely  necessary  to  throw  off  or  neu- 
tralize the  poison. 

If  there  is  enough  healthy  blood  present 
in  the  circulation,  or  if  it  is  manufactured 
as  rapidly  as  may  be  required  to  carry  off 
the  poisons,  the  system  is  able  to  overcome 
the  danger  and  restore  the  normal  condition. 

New  and  healthy  blood  is  necessary  to 
perform  cures ;  old  blood,  stagnant  blood,  im- 
pure blood,  (from  improper  foods)  no  matter 
how  much  of  it  there  may  be,  is  ineffective. 

In  dropsical  effusions  there  is  always 
plenty  of  blood  fluid,  but  of  such  a  character 
that  the  hyperemia  set  up  to  repel  disease 
only  makes  the  tissues  waterlogged. 

Every  case  of  dropsy  that  has  taken  the 
milk  diet  in  my  experience,  has  received  im- 
mediate and  permanent  relief. 

The   heart   beats   vary   greatly   in   number 


60  MILK    DIET. 

in  different  persons.  I  have  started  several 
patients  on  the  milk  diet  whose  customary 
pulse  rate  was  around  40  per  minute.  One 
lady  started  with  36,  and  before  the  end  of 
the  first  week  showed  about  75  per  minute, 
while  resting  in  bed  and  exerting  herself  as 
little  as  possible.  From  being  a  ehronic  in- 
valid, almost  bedridden,  weak,  listless,  almost 
'bloodless,  without  appetite,  she  became 
a  strong  well  woman,  and  has  never  lapsed  to 
her  former  condition. 

In  patients  with  fever  and  rapid  pulse 
there  is  usually  a  slowing  of  the  heart  and 
nearly  always  a  reduction  of  the  temperature. 
This  effect  is  chiefly  caused  by  the  larger 
blood  current  more  easily  removing  the  fever 
products,  and  by  the  cooling  of  the  blood 
through  dilatation  of  the  cutaneous  blood  ves- 
sels, and  by  increase  of  perspiration. 

It  is  very  unusual  for  a  patient  to  have  a 
temperature  above  the  normal  while  on  milk 
and  resting,  no  matter  what  the  previous  con- 
dition may  have  been.  If  the  fever  does  not 
fall  below  100  soon  after  the  patient's  bowels 
are  moving  naturally,  a  serious  condition  is 
indicated. 

The  stimulation  of  a  full  milk  diet  is  very 


REACTIONS   DURING   TREATMENT.  61 

similar    to    the    primary    effects    of  alcoholic 
stimulation   on   the   circulation,   but   the   after 
results  are  entirely  different,  due  to  the  fact 
that  the  blood  carries  with  it  the  food  neces 
sary  to  repair  the  increased  tissue  waste. 

Stimulation  by  alcohol  is  followed  by  a 
period  of  depression  which  is  impossible  with 
milk.  Continuous  stimulation  by  alcohol 
causes  inco-ordination  of  muscles  which  never 
follows  that  of  milk.  Indeed,  the  spasmodic, 
uncertain  movements  of  the  hand  in  writer's 
cramp  may  be  permanently  cured  by  a  proper 
milk  diet. 

The  effect  on  the  lung's  is  to  quicken  the 
breathing  at  first;  then  as  the  respiratory- 
muscles  strengthen,  the  inhalations  become 
deeper.  No  matter  what  disease  one  may 
have,  the  breathing  capacity  is  increased.  The 
circumference  of  the  chest  enlarges  and  the 
measurement  on  inspiration  increases  week 
by  week  over  that  of  expiration.  The  enlarge- 
ment is  too  great  to  be  accounted  for  by  in- 
crease of  muscular  tissue  or  subcutaneous  fat 
around  the  chest. 

These  changes,  remember,  take  place  while 
the  patient  is  taking  the  rest  cure.  The  mus- 
cles all  over  the  body  increase  in  size. 


62  MILK    DIET. 

To  one  who  has  had  no  experience  with 
this  treatment,  it  seems  incredible  that  the 
muscles  should  not  only  rapidly  increase  in 
size,  but  become  much  harder.  Yet  it  is  a 
positive  fact  that  the  voluntary  muscles  of 
the  body  become,  firm  and  solid,  almost  like 
an  athlete's  limbs  after  a  hard  course  of 
training.  And  this,  too,  while  the  patient  is 
lying  abed  all  the  time,  except  when  attending 
to  the  necessary  calls  of  nature,  or  taking  the 
daily  bath.  And  that  bath  a  warm  one,  usual- 
ly considered  weakening! 

People  are  too  apt  to  compare  a  patient 
taking  the  rest  cure  with  one  in  the  last  stages 
of  chronic  disease,  or  bedridden  from  the 
weakness  accompanying  typhoid  or  other 
fevers. 

As  a  matter  of  fact  the  two  conditions  are 
entirely  different.  In  the  latter  case,  the  pa- 
tient is  compelled  to  take  to  his  bed  because 
he  is  ill  and  weak  and  unable  to  take  or  assim- 
ilate nourishment,  and  the  food  that  is  given 
him  does  little  or  no  good,  and  may  be  really 
harmful,  as  he  has  no  appetite  and  lacks  the 
necessary  secretions  to  properly  digest  food. 

But  the  great  majority  of  patients  taking 
the  milk  cure  are  "walking  cases."  Indeed, 


REACTIONS  DURING   TREATMENT.  63 

many  of  them  demur  at  the  idea  of  going  to 
bed  at  first.  But  go  to  bed  they  must  to  take 
the  milk  properly,  and,  after  the  preliminary 
fast,  they  usually  have  all  the  necessary  ap- 
petite and  the  right  condition  of  the  stomach, 
to  take  milk  easily,  'and  taking  the  amount 
usually  given,  they  are  taking  more  nourish- 
ment than  the  ordinary  person  takes,  even 
while  doing  hard  work.  But  milk  is,  so  far  as 
T  know,  the  only  food  that  can  be  taken  in  full 
amount  with  benefit,  while  enjoying  as  perfect 
rest  as  may  be  possible. 

The  hardness  of  the  muscles,  on  a  milk 
diet,  is  due  largely  to  the  fact  that  they  are 
pumped  full  of  blood,  like  all  the  other  organs 
of  the  body. 

And,  it  is  well  to  recall  the  fact  that  the 
internal  organs  themselves  contain  a  great 
system  of  muscles.  Not  voluntary  muscles,  it 
is  true,  but  muscles  that  are  controlled  by  the 
wonderful  sympathetic  system  of  nerves; 
muscles  which  do  their  work  without  any  ef- 
fort or  knowledge  of  the  will;  muscles  that 
work  while  we  sleep.  Without  them  digestion 
would  be  impossible,  for  every  movement  of 
the  stomach  and  intestines  and  the  food  pro- 


64  MILK    DIET. 

ducts  contained  in  them  is  due  to  these  mus- 
cles. 

The  whole  alimentary  canal,  (oesophagus, 
stomach  and  intestines,)  contains  in  its  wall 
a  double  layer  of  these  jnvoluntary  muscle 
fibers,  part  of  them  circling  around  the  organ, 
and  the  remainder  distributed  lengthwise,  and 
through  the  combined  efforts  of  the  fibers, 
the  contents  of  the  canal  are  mixed  with  the 
various  digestive  juices,  and  gradually  pushed 
onward  until  absorption  has  taken  place,  and 
the  residue  has  been  expelled. 

That  is  what  takes  place  in  the  healthy  in- 
dividual without  any  consciousness  or  as- 
sistance, on  his  part.  But  in  the  invalid  these 
small  but  important  muscles  are  thin  and 
weak  and  unable  to  do  their  duty.  It  is  not 
unreasonable  to  suppose  that  they  build  up 
and  resume  their  normal  functions  just  as  do 
the  external  muscles,  while  a  person  is  on  a 
full  milk  diet.  Indeed,  although  we  cannot 
see  these  internal  muscles  develop,  we  have 
plenty  of  evidence  that  they  do,  as  for  in- 
stance, the  increased  size  of  the  abdomen,  the 
larger  capacity  for  food,  the  facility  with  which 
the  unusual  amount  of  fluid  and  solid  mat- 


REACTIONS   DURING   TREATMENT.  65 

ter  is~ handled,  and  the  much  larger  amount  of 
feces  discharged. 

This  increased  power  of  the  intestinal  mus- 
cles, and  the  restoration  of  the  peristaltic 
movement,  is  all  that  is  necessary,  in  many 
cases,  to  overcome  constipation. 

All  the  muscles,  as  I  stated  above,  increase 
in  size.  I  have  noted  an  increase  in  the  thigh 
of  over  an  inch  in  a  week.  The  abdomen  is 
always  first  to  show  an  enlargement,  then  the 
thighs  and  buttocks,  although  at  the  same 
time  the  neck,  shoulders,  arms  and  face  are 
making  visible  progress.  The  calves  do  not 
make  a  corresponding  gain  while  the  patient 
is  resting,  but  rapidly  assume  proper  propor- 
tions on  being  called  on  to  support  the  body 
in  walking. 

The  rapid  increase  in  girth  of  the  abdomen 
is  very  significant.  It  means  that  the  thirty- 
odd  feet  of  the  alimentary  canal  are  being  de- 
veloped. From  the  condition  so  often  seen  at 
autopsies  where  persons  have  died  of  malnu- 
trition and  the  intestines  are  thin  and  juice- 
less,  perhaps  as  brown  and  almost  as  dry  as 
the  casing  from  a  bologna  sausage,  they  are 
changing  to  the  thick,  juicy  and  normal  con- 
dition of  an  infant's  bowels. 


66  MILK    DIET. 

41 

The  circulation  of  capillary  blood  vessels 
and  lymphatics  in  and  around  the  intestines  is 
greatly  increased  on  a  milk  diet.  The  fat  of 
milk  is  in  such  minute  globules  that  it  is  ready 
for  absorption  by  the  lacteals  and  from  them  it 
is  carried  almost  directly  into  the  venous  cir- 
culation. The  large  amount  of  fluid  in  milk 
which  must  pass  through  the  blood  before 
leaving  the  body,  the  greatly  increased 
amount  of  fat,  sugar,  nitrogenous  matters  and 
salts  in  the  right  proportion  and  condition  re- 
quired for  nourishment,  stimulate  the  mil- 
lions of  glands  lining  the  canal  and  they  are 
compelled  to  increase  in  size  and  capacity. 

This  abdominal  increase  is  very  largely  in 
the-walls  of  the  stomach  and  intestines  at 
first.  Later  on  there  will  be  more  or  less  fat 
deposited  subcutaneously.  Every  healthy  per- 
son has  a  protecting  pad  of  fatty  tissue  in 
front  of  the  intestines  and  stomach. 

This  intestinal  development  and  enlarge- 
ment is  necessary  to  insure  proper  digestion 
and  assimilation,  but  is  occasionally  objected 
to  by  ladies  who  note  the  loss  of  a  wasplike 
waist  and  the  necessity  for  a  new  wardrobe 
with  regret.  They  do  not,  however,  object  to 


REACTIONS  DURING   TREATMENT.  67 

the  increase  in  the  size  and  symmetry  of  the 
limbs  and  bust,  the  rilling  in  of  the  hollows  in 
the  neck,  the  smoothing  out  of  the  facial 
wrinkles  and  the  "peaches  and  cream"  com- 
plexion that  goes  with  it. 

I  am  able  to  offer  some  comfort  by  inform- 
ing them  that  a  portion  of  the  waist  develop- 
ment will  disappear  when  they  become  more 
active  and  another  portion  will  be  lost  when 
they  quit  the  milk  diet,  but  with  a  correct 
manner  of  living  and  sufficient  nutritious  food 
the  stomach  will  never  return  to  the  previous 
abnormal  condition. 

During  the  last  few  years,  I  have  noticed 
an  increased  number  of  invalids  with  disorders 
of  the  bowels,  principally  the  colon.  These 
people  have  usually  given  a  history  of  "ca- 
tarrh," or  "inflamation  of  the  bowels,"  often 
of  constipation,  and  rarely  of  diarrhea.  Some 
of  them  say  they  are  full  of  acid  and  rheu- 
matic. In  a  small  percentage  of  these  cases, 
I  notice  the  amount  of  milk  they  can  take  is 
limited,  because  an  excess  brings  on  diarrhea. 
They  may  take  three  and  one  half  quarts  of 
full  milk  daily,  but  another  pint  causes  a 
watery,  acid,  diarrhea. 

In  the  case  of  a  patient  commencing  the 


68  MILK    DIET. 

milk  diet  and  taking  about  six  quarts,  should 
diarrhea  occur  and  continue  more  than  thirty- 
six  hours,  with  passages  loose,  sour,  or  green- 
ish, or  containing  small  undigested  curds,  it 
is  evident  that  the  bowels  are  unable  to  di- 
gest all  the  food.  The  amount,  therefore, 
must  be  reduced  about  half  until  solid  move- 
ments occur  only  once  or  twice  daily.  Too 
little  will  cause  constipation,  and  then  the 
amount  must  be  increased.  I  have  seen  cases 
where  a  variation  in  the  daily  amount  taken, 
of  two  glasses,  would  make  the  difference  be- 
tween constipation  and  diarrhea. 

When  the  proper  dose  is  found,  these  pa- 
tients receive  great  and  lasting  benefits.  On 
less  than  four  quarts,  the  gain  in  weight  is 
about  half  that  of  the  usual  milk  diet,  and 
this  is  rather  discouraging  to  them,  but  in 
every  case  of  this  kind  where  the  quantity  of 
milk  has  been  carefully  adjusted  to  the  con- 
dition of  the  bowels,  the  ultimate  result  has 
been  very  satisfactory. 

Several  ladies  who  were  below  weight  and 
affected  in  this  way  only  gained  about  two 
pounds  a  week  wrhile  on  milk,  but  on  return- 
ing to  ordinary  habits  and  diet,  continued  to 
gain  at  an  even  greater  rate,  and  remained 


REACTIONS   DURING   TREATMENT.  69 

free  from  troubles  for  which  they  took  the 
milk  cure. 

The  skin,  including-  the  hair  and  nails, 
shows  decided  reactions  in  the  milk  cure.  A 
healthy  skin  is  a  rarity  nowadays,  and  the 
average  candidate  for  the  milk  cure,  with  bad 
digestion,  poor  circulation^  and  probably  kid- 
ney trouble,  shows  plain  evidence  of  his  in- 
ternal disease  by  a  great  variety  of  skin  dis- 
orders, ranging  from  the  pale,  white,  and  the 
dry  leathery  skin,  to  various  forms  of  erup- 
tions and  inflammatory  conditions. 

Remarkable  changes  take  place  in  this  im- 
portant organ.  The  capillary  circulation 
grows  faster,  perhaps,  in  the  skin,  than  in  any 
other  part  of  the  body.  The  prolonged 
warm  baths  greatly  assist  in  this  improve- 
ment, by  softening  up  the  dead  cells  of  the  ex- 
ternal layers,  and  by  the  moisture  and  warmth 
penetrating  to  the  deeper  layers.  No  matter 
lioxv  cold  or  dry  or  flabby  or  wrinkled  the  skin 
may  be,  between  the  warm  baths  externally 
and  the  increased  amount  of  blood  internally, 
the  skin  always  seems  to  get  back  to  a  healthy 
condition.  Patients  who  had  not  visibly  per- 
spired for  years,  show  a  perceptible  sweat 
within  a  few  days,  and  frequently  the  skin 


70  MILK    DIET. 

starts  up  action  suddenly  a  short  time  after 
the  patient  has  gone  to  sleep  in  the  evening 
and  he  wakes  up  bathed  in  perspiration.  I 
have  seen  such  cases  where  not  only  the  bed 
linen,  but  the  mattress  as  well,  were  so  soaked 
with  sweat  as  to  require  changing. 

Such  a  climax,  weakening  and  discourag- 
ing to  some  invalids  on  an  ordinary  diet,  has 
just  the  opposite  effect  on  the  milk  diet,  be- 
cause it  is  the  result  of  increased  capillary  cir- 
culation, and  not  due  to  weakness  of  the  blood 
vessels  and  thin,  watery  blood,  as  in  the  or- 
dinary "night-sweats." 

If  the  warm,  moist  skin  be  rubbed,  soon 
after  starting  on  the  milk  diet,  one  can  often 
notice  little  black  rolls  of  dirt,  dead  cells,  and 
waste  matter  discharged  through  the  sweat 
glands,  and  the  odor  coming  from  the  skin 
saturates  the  atmosphere  of  the  room,  and  will 
be  found  excessively  strong  on  opening  the 
bed  to  air,  especially  with  rheumatic  patients. 
Indeed,  the  rooms  of  these  patients  smell  like 
a  vinegar  factory  for  a  few  days. 

A  rapid  increase  in  body  weight  occurs 
to  every  one  taking  the  milk  diet,  no  matter 
what  their  previous  condition  or  disease. 
While  this  is  usually  welcome,  there  are  cer- 


REACTIONS   DURING  TREATMENT.  71 

tain  patients  who  do  not  desire  it,  but  they 
have  to  accept  it,  at  first  anyway,  becauae  it  is 
impossible  to  take  the  cure  correctly  without 
gaining  in  weight. 

Someone  has  divided  the  human  race  into 
r\vo  classes — those  who  are  too  fat,  and  those 
who  are  too  thin,  and  while  the  milk  cure  ap- 
peals more  to  the  latter  class,  yet  it  seems 
to  me  that  stout  people  get  just  as  much  bene- 
fit from  it  as  thin  ones,  but  it  is  harder  to  in- 
duce them  to  take  it.  The  gain  in  weight 
made  by  a  person  who  is  overweight  or  about 
normal,  is  not  as  great  as  that  made  by  a  thin 
or  emaciated  person.  The  latter  will  take  on 
weight  rapidly,  almost  as  a  sponge  soaks  up 
water.  Most  of  them  are  poorly  nourished, 
whether  they  are  eating  much  or  little,  and 
the  milk  alone,  taken  under  proper  conditions, 
seems  to  be  just  what  they  need,  and  they 
build  up  all  parts  of  the  body  very  easily. 
The  average  gain  in  weight  is  about  five 
pounds  the  first  week,  and  after  that  about 
half  a  pound  daily.  This  latter  rate  continues 
for  weeks,  or  months,  until  they  are  near  the 
normal  weight.  The  greater  increase  for  the 
first  week  is,  in  some  measure,  due  .to  the  fact 
that  they  have  had  more  or  less  of  a  fast  be- 


72  MILK    DIET. 

fore  commencing  the  diet,  and  are  consequent- 
ly almost  empty,  and  in  a  good  condition  to 
assimilate  nearly  all  of  the  milk. 

A  gain  of  twelve  pounds  the  first  seven 
days  has  been  made  under  my  observation, 
and  only  recently  a  young  man  gained  ten 
and  a  quarter  pounds  in  his  first  three  days, 
but  his  was  a  very  exceptional  case,  as  his 
stomach  had  been  in  such  a  wretched  state 
that  he  had  been  unable  to  retain  even  the 
simplest  food  previous  to  taking  the  treat- 
ment. I  started  by  giving  him  small  and  fre- 
quent doses  of  carefully  warmed  milk,  while 
he  was  resting  completely,  in  bed.  Beyond  a 
very  slight  pain  in  the  stomach  at  first,  he  had 
no  discomfort  at  any  time,  and.  rapidly  re- 
gained his  health. 

I  am  often  asked  if  the  average  rapid  gain 
of  flesh  is  not  too  great  to  form  healthy  tis- 
sues, and  even  if  it  may  not  be  unsafe. 

I  say,  emphatically,  that  all  this  increased 
weight  is  made  up  of  healthy  tissues  and  that 
there  is  absolutely  no  danger  while  taking 
complete  rest. 

There  are  certain  preparations  advertised, 
by  the  use  of  which,  it  is  claimed,  rapid  gain 
is  made  in  weight,  while  eating  ordinary 


REACTIONS   DURING  TREATMENT.  73 

foods.  I  have  seen  very  injurious  effects  from 
the  use  of  some  of  these  drugs,  and  I  regard 
such  methods  as  wholly  unnatural.  The  flesh 
gained  is  probably  largely  fat,  and  the  digest- 
ive organs,  instead  of  being  built  up  and  fitted 
for  normal  digestion,  are  worse  off  than  before 
taking  the  medicine. 

The  gain  made  on  milk  diet,  while  rest- 
ing, is  not  principally  fat,  as  some  people  im- 
agine. An  increase  of  an  inch  a  week  in  an 
emaciated  person's  thigh,  between  the  knee 
ciiid  the  hip,  cannot  be  called  fat.  There  is 
very  little  fat  in  this  part  at  any  time,  but 
there  is  an  enormous  group  of  muscles  and  it 
is  the  growth  of  these  muscles  that  pro- 
duces the  enlargement.  The  muscles  in- 
crease because  they  are  distended  with  blood. 

The  inunction  of  fat,  or  so-called  flesh 
foods,  or  "oil  rubs,"  cannot  produce  any  per- 
manent benefit  and  may  cause  considerable 
harm.  The  massage  may  temporarily  stim- 
ulate the  circulation,  but  it  would  be  better  to 
practice  it  without  the  oil. 

I  recall  only  a  few  cases  occurring  in  my 
experience  which  lost  weight  in  the  first  week, 
while  taking  the  amount  of  milk  I  had  pre- 
scribed. 


74  MILK    DIET. 

Two  of  these  suffered  from  valvular  dis- 
ease of  the  heart,  and  after  the  initial  loss 
went  on  as  usual,  gaining  weight  and  health. 

Another  case  had  been  the  subject  of  se- 
vere surgical  operations  and  lost  several 
pounds  at  first,  but  then  gained  at  a  fairly 
satisfactory  rate. 

Two  gentlemen  suffering  from  diabetes 
lost  weight  on  the  milk  diet  (6  quarts)  for  a 
few  days  and  both  quit  the  treatment,  but 
seemed  to  have  derived  some  benefit  from  the 
short  course. 


CHAPTER   IV. 
DYSPEPSIA. 

Probably  the  simplest  trouble  that  may  be 
treated  by  the  milk  cure  is  dyspepsia,  or  in- 
digestion. 

Usually  brought  on  by  an  incorrect  way  of 
living,  when  the  condition  is  relieved  and  the 
patient  instructed  how  to  avoid  a  return  of 
the  disorder,  there  is  no  good  reason  why  he 
should  ever  suffer  from  it  again. 

When  you  tell  people  that  they  are  not  eat- 
ing right,  they  may  say  they  eat  the  same  as' 
oilier  members  of  the  family  who  are  appar- 
ently having  no  trouble.  Now,  it  is  a  fact  that 
there  are  no  two  people  with  stomachs  just 
alike.  Among  thousands  of  cases  who  have 
taken  the  milk  diet  under  my  observation,  I  do 
not  remember  any  two  who  acted,  or  reacted 
just  the  same.  With  a  score  of  patients  tak- 
ing the  milk  diet  at  the  same  time,  with  all 
conditions  as  to  amount  of  milk,  time  and 
manner  of  taking  just  the  same ;  all  resting  in 


76  MILK    DIET. 

bed,  all  bathing  daily,  everything  just  the 
same,  as  nearly  as  may  be,  yet  no  two  will 
have  the  same  symptoms. 

With  some  the  bowels  are  constipated; 
others  have  a  diarrhea,  some  have  regular 
movements.  Most  people  have  a  chalky  white 
color  to  the  stools  at  first;  some  start  off  with 
a  normal  yellow  color.  Some  of  those  with 
white  stools  will  suddenly  change  to  a  deeper 
tint,  as  the  liver  starts  up;  others  make  the 
change  very  gradually. 

Some  patients  complain  of  a  bad  taste  in 
the  mouth;  others  never  have  it.  Most  of 
them  have  a  heavy  coating  on  the  tongue,  at 
first  brownish  or  yellow,  later  white;  others 
manage  to  keep  their  tongues  clean.  Great 
variety  is  observed  as  to  the  way  the  milk 
tastes.  Most  patients  seem  to  have  a  relish 
for  it,  in  greater  or  less  degree,  others  declare 
it  is  just  like  taking  medicine  and  they  only 
take  it  for  the  effect.  Some  will  say  it  tastes 
very  sweet,  like  sugar;  others  that  it  has  a 
bitter  or  sour  taste.  Precisely  the  same  milk, 
mind  you.  The  disagreeable  taste  may  disap- 
pear at  any  time,  and  perhaps  not  return. 

It    is  very    seldom    that    patients  become 
hungry  on  the  milk  diet,  and  where  they  do,  it 


DYSPEPSIA.  77 

probably  is  because  they  are  not  taking  their 
milk  regularly.  But  there  have  been  cases 
who  felt  like  eating  most  of  the  time  during 
the  first  two  weeks.  In  these  rare  cases  the 
era  vine  has  been  generally  for  some  special 
article  of  diet,  as  bread,  or  some  kind  of  veg- 
etable or  fruit.  I  have  never  known  anyone 
to  desire  meat,  except  once  or  twice  a  wish 
was  expressed  for  fat,  crisp  bacon. 

Thirst,  is  a  very  rare  symptom  while  on  the 
milk  diet,  and  I  do  not  remember  any  patients 
in  Xe\v  York  who  took  water  in  addition  to 
their  milk,  but  in  California  I  have  seen  sev- 
eral such  cases,  perhaps  due  to  the  drier  at- 
mosphere. There  is  probably  no  reason  why 
wafer  should  not  to  taken  during  the  treat- 
ment, but  I  hardly  see  the  need  of  it,  as  most 
patients  get  over  five  quarts  of  water  in  their 
milk  daily. 

It  is  not  uncommon  for  those  taking  the 
milk  to  wish  for  something  sour,  and  partic- 
ularly sour  fruit,  apples,  oranges  and  even 
lemons.  Others  prefer  the  sweet  fruits, 
peaches,  plums,  grapes  and  melons.  Nearly 
everyone  relishes  dried  fruits  like  figs,  dates, 
prunes  and  apricots,  and  all  these  are  fre- 


78  MILK    DIET. 

quently  useful  in  overcoming  the  initial  con- 
stipation. 

In  the  matter  of  sleep  patients  vary 
widely;  some  want  to  sleep  all  the  time,  while 
others  only  sleep  a  few  hours  at  night.  Cases 
of  insomnia  sometimes  notice  no  improvement 
for  several  nights,  and  then,  all  at  once,  they 
begin  to  sleep  like  children. 

I  have  taken  considerable  space  to  explain 
how  the  milk  diet  affects  different  people, 
while  speaking  of  dyspepsia,  because  nearly 
every  disease  is  accompanied  by  more  or  less 
stomach  trouble,  although  the  symptoms  are 
quite  varied. 

Indigestion  is  almost  a  national  disease 
with  Americans,  and  in  very  many  cases  it  is 
due  to  imperfect  breathing,  or  lack  of  exercise, 
and  overeating. 

There  is  not  much  use  of  my  wasting  the 
reader's  time  in  giving  advice  as  to  the 
amount  of  food  they  should  eat,  or  what  kinds 
they  must  avoid  and  what  they  may  eat,  and 
how  long  they  should  chew  it,  and  how  many 
meals  they  should  take,  because  all  dyspeptics 
have  had  plenty  of  such  advice,  without  being 
cured,  but  I  will,  later  on,  give  some  direc- 


DYSPEPSIA.  79 

tions  to  be  followed  after  putting  the  stomach 
in  good  order  by  the  milk  diet. 

I  firmly  believe  that  defective  breathing  is 
more  of  a  cause  of  dyspepsia  than  over-feed- 
ing. Few  people  realize  how  important 
breathing  is  to  health.  We  breathe  mainly  to 
absorb  oxygen.  The  function  of  oxygen  is  to 
combine  with  the  food  we  eat,  and  if  sufficient 
oxygen  is  not  taken  into  the  system  to  oxidize 
the  food,  indigestion  results. 

Food  is  taken  into  the  body  just  as  fuel  is 
taken  into  a  furnace,  for  the  same  purpose — to 
be  burned  up.  and  burning  always  means  ox- 
idation. A  lamp  or  a  stove  cannot  burn  with- 
out a  plentiful  supply  of  oxygen,  nor  can  the 
human  body  perform  its  functions  more  than 
a  minute  or  two  without  air. 

Oxygen  should  really  be  considered  a  food, 
for  none  of  the  regular  foods  would  be  of  any 
use  in  the  body  unless  they  combined  with 
oxygen. 

Some  people  never  breathe  right;  many 
people  work  and  sleep  in  places  where  the  air 
is  bad,  and,  while  it  is  possible  for  either  class 
to  enjoy  fairly  good  health,  if  the  defective 
breathers  have  to  breathe  the  bad  air,  the  re- 
sult is  always  ill  health. 


80  MILK    DIET. 

A  man  may  work  every  day  in  a  place 
where  the  air  is  impure  and  lacking  in  oxygen, 
and  yet,  if  his  work  calls  for  vigorous  exercise, 
and  therefore  copious  breathing,  he  may  ap- 
pear to  be  in  the  best  of  health. 

But  let  the  shallow  breather  work  in  the 
same  place,  at  some  sedentary  occupation,  and 
before  long  his  health  fails,  he  becomes  pale- 
faced,  anemic,  has  less  strength,  less  endur- 
ance. His  desire  for  food  decreases,  and  what 
he  does  take  is  not  thoroughly  digested,  hence 
he  has  less  blood,  and  that  of  a  poorer  qual- 
ity. Perhaps,  realizing  that  his  stomach  is  not 
performing  its  functions  properly,  he  assists 
it  with  some  digestive  medicine,  or  he  takes 
foods  that  are  recommended  to  him  because 
they  are  predigested.  In  either  case  he  may 
notice  an  apparent  improvement,  but  in  either 
case  he  has  further  weakened  his  stomach  by 
usurping  its  natural  functions,  and  if  the 
primary  cause  of  the  trouble  is  not  remedied, 
his  temporary  expedients  will  soon  fail  to  have 
even  an  apparent  or  transient  effect. 

I  want  to  make  this  point  clear:  We  can- 
not habitually  perform  for  the  body  any  of  its 
functions  that  should  naturally  be  performed 


DYSPEPSIA.  81 

unaided,    without    weakening    the    part    con- 
cerned. 

\\'e  cannot  use  massage  or  kneading  of  the 
bowels  for  any  length  of  time  to  produce  de- 
fecation, without  weakening  the  natural  per- 
istaltic movement  of  the  intestines;  nor  can  we 
use  cathartic  medicines  long  without  the  same 
result. 

The  stomach  should  digest  our  food,  and 
we  cannot  live  on  predigested  foods  long, 
without  weakening  those  glands  which  nor- 
mally secrete  the  digestive  juices. 

We  certainly  cannot  add  pepsin  to  our 
food  before  we  eat  it,  without  taking  away  the 
function  of  the  peptic  glands,  and,  while  they 
may  have  been  .secreting  too  little  pepsin  be- 
fore, they  are  likely  to  produce  still  less  when 
the  food  comes  into  the  stomach  already  pep- 
tonized. 

The  simple  act  of  cooking,  which  is  one' 
kind  of  prcdigesting,  may,  in  some  cases,  be 
a  contributary  cause  of  weak  digestion.  Our 
digestive  apparatus  was  originally  designed  to 
work  on  uncooked  foods,  for  fire  was  a  later 
invention,  and  all  animals  at  the  present  time, 
except  man,  use  by  preference  uncooked  foods. 

We  are  too  much  inclined,  in  the  hurry  and 


82  MILK    DIET. 

worry  of  modern  life,  to  eat  those  things  that 
may  be  swallowed  and  digested  quickly,  with- 
out regard  to  the  ultimate  effect  on  the 
stomach. 

Pro-f.  Einhorn  says :  "The  diet  in  health 
should  not  always  comprise  the  most  easily 
digestible  substances.  For  by  so  doing  we 
weaken  our  digestive  system." 

Stomachs  can  be  spoiled  by  giving  them 
too  little  to  do,  and  they  must  be  able  to  di- 
gest much  that  is  difficult  of  digestion,  as  well 
as  that  which  is  easily  digested. 

But,  aside  from  the  fact  that  the  stomach 
must  be  able  to  take  care  of  such  foods  as 
come  to  it  on  an  ordinary  diet,  the  great  ques- 
tion remains,  are  these  predigested  foods  able 
to  make  as  good  blood  as  natural  foods  do? 

It  is  a  fact,  that  the  great  majority  of  pa- 
tients applying  for  relief  from  digestive  trou- 
bles are  in  the  habit  of  using  foods  designed 
to  save  the  stomach  some  of  its  natural  work. 

A  story  I  hear  very  often  runs  about  this 
way:  "Some  time  ago  my  health  began  to 
fail;  my  stomach  was  bad,  and  the  only  thing 
I  could  eat  with  comfort  was  Somebody's 
breakfast  food  (or  Dr.  So-and-so's  prepared 
food,  or  some  grain  combination  claiming  to 


DYSPEPSIA.  83 

be  predigested  and  already  to  eat.)  But  while 
this  food  caused  no  distress,  I  have  been  get- 
ting weaker  and  weaker,  and  cannot  touch  the 
ordinary  food  that  my  family  eat." 

And  these  people  always  lay  stress  on  the 
statement  that  they  have  been  very  careful  of 
their  stomachs! 

Most  of  these  prepared  cereal  foods  are 
steamed  or  boiled  into  a  mush,  with  various 
ingredients  like  salt,  glucose,  molasses,  or 
malt,  added.  Then  they  are  usually  either 
made  into  a  dough  and  baked,  and  ground  up 
into  crumbs,  or  rolled  into  flakes  and  parched. 
After  being  sealed  up  more  or  less  tightly  in 
pasteboard  boxes,  they  are  ready  for  sale. 
When  finally  the  retail  dealer  gets  such  foods, 
they  may  lie  on  the  grocery  shelves  for 
months  before  being  sold.  Every  country 
store  is  stacked  to  the  ceiling  with  prepara- 
tions of  this  kind,  for  which  an  artificial  de- 
mand was  created  by  enormous  advertising, 
but  when  the,  advertising  stops,  so  does  the 
demand. 

The  manufacturers  of  many  of  these  pro- 
ducts, who  have  become  rich  by  buying  cheap 
cereals,  or  grains  that  have  already  been  used 
in  making  malt  liquors,  and  selling  them  for 


84  MILK    DIET. 

ten  times  their  cost,  employ  high-salaried  ad- 
vertisement writers,  who  dilate  on  the  clean- 
liness and  thoroughness  with  which  the  goods 
arc  handled  and  cooked,  but  I  do  not  believe 
that  stuff  prepared  in  this  manner  can  be  of 
much  service  in  the  human  stomach,  and  even 
animals  refuse  it  unless  they  are  very  hungry. 
T  do  not  include  in  this  class  foods  like 
Germea,  which  is  not  cooked,  nor  sterilized  by 
any  chemical  method,  nor  the  rolled  prepara- 
tions of  wheat,  oats,  a'nd  rye.  The  latter  are 
steamed  for  some  time,  and  while  still  wet  are 
run  between  rollers  and  pressed  into  thin 
flakes.  After  drying  the  product  is  ready  for 
marketing.  Such  rolled  grains  do  not  pretend 
to  be  more  than  partly  cooked  and  are  sup- 
posed to  be  thoroughly  recooked  before  serv- 
ing. Grain  prepared  in  this  manner  does  not 
lose  its  vitality,  or  blood-making  power. 
Some  grocers  raise  the  objection  that  such 
foods  do  not  keep  for  long  periods,  like  the 
ready-to-eat,  sterilized  brands,  as  they  are  apt 
to  be  attacked  by  weevils  and  other  insects. 
This,  in  my  opinion,  is  a  pretty  good  test  of 
the  food  quality  of  an  article.  Insects,  with 
their  magnified  sense  of  sight,  smell,  and 
taste,  are  better  judges  of  the  food  value  of  an 


DYSPEPSIA.  85 

article  than  hitman  beings.  As  an  example,  I 
have  known  ants  to  find  an  opened  package  of 
Germea  on  a  pantry  shelf,  and  when  dis- 
covered, the  wise  little  animals  had  a  line 
many  yards  long  between  the  cereal  and  their 
nest.  Each  ant  returning  to  the  nest  carried 
a  little  particle  of  the  food,  doubtless  for  the 
nourishment  of  'the  home"  colony.  An  in- 
structive feature  of  the  incident  was  the  fact 
that  the  ants,  to  get  at  the  preferred  article, 
had  to  climb  over  several  opened  packages  of 
other  foods,  each  of  which  was  guaranteed  by 
the  manufacturer  to  be  all  ready  to  eat. 

The  cause  of  much  indigestion,  particular- 
ly of  starchy  foods,  is  deficient  secretion  of 
pancreatic  fluid.  Digestion  of  starchy  foods 
is  either  performed  by  the  action  of  the  saliva, 
in  the  mouth  and  oesophagus,  or  after  passing 
through  the  stomach,  by  the  juice  secreted  by 
the  pancreas.  The  stomach  itself  has  no  ac- 
tion on  starch. 

The  pancreas  is  very  often  at  fault  in  peo- 
ple of  sedentary  habits,  and,  if  such  people  do 
not  very  thoroughly  chew  their  bread,  pota- 
toes, etc.,  and  thereby  largely  digest  the 
starch  before  it  is  swallowed,  it  passes 


86  MILK    DIET. 

through  the  stomach  unchanged  and  is  very 
apt  to  ferment  in  the  intestine. 

Persons  with  this  trouble  can  often  live  in 
comfort  on  meat,  eggs,  fruits,  and  non-starchy 
vegetables,  but  bread,  for  them,  is  by  no 
means  the  staff  of  life. 

The  secretion  of  a  healthy  pancreas,  which 
is  discharged  into  the  small  intestine,  amounts 
to  about  a  pint  in  24  hours.  This  amount  may 
be  greatly  reduced,  in  ill  health,  through  in- 
activity of  the  gland.  Total  absence  of  the 
juice,  from  disease  or  removal  of  the  gland, 
results  fatally. 

The  pancreatic  juice  is  of  great  importance 
in  the  digestion  of  milk,  and  on  a  milk  diet, 
the  gland  becomes  very  active,  and  presuma- 
bly returns  to  a  healthy  condition,  for,  on  re- 
suming a  normal  diet,  patients  do  not  suffer 
from  starchy  indigestion  and  fermentation. 

Other  forms  of  indigestion,  or  inability  to 
digest  certain  foods,  as  berries  or  acid  fruits, 
nuts,  and  certain  vegetables  like  cabbage,  are 
always  completely  cured  by  this  treatment. 

To  sum  the  matter  up  in  a  few  words,  it 
puts  the  stomach  in  a  normal,  healthy  condi- 
tion. 


CHAPTER  V. 
CONSTIPATION. 

Constipation  is  a  very  frequent  accompani- 
ment of  digestive  disturbances,  and  while  it  is 
usually  only  a  symptom  in  itself,  and  disap- 
pears as  the  trouble  which  caused  it  is  cured, 
it  deserves  separate  consideration. 

It  is  my  impression  that  a  great  deal  of 
constipation,  or  irregularity  of  the  stools,  is 
due  to  the  fact  that  many  people  do  not  know 
how  to  attend  to  the  important  function  of  de- 
fecation. They  either  do  not  understand  it,  or 
'.hey  wilfully  neglect  it. 

A  little  study  of  the  parts  involved,  and 
I  heir  physiological  action  will  be  interesting 
and  instructive. 

Food,  after  passing  through  the  small  in- 
testine  rather  rapidly,  enters  the  colon,  or 
large  intestine,  as  a  liquid,  or  of  a  liquid  con- 
sistency. The  fluid  is  largely  absorbed  during 
the  slower  passage  through  the  large  intes- 
tine, leaving  a  residue  of  feces  to  be  dis- 
charged from  the  rectum. 


88  MILK    DIET. 

The  large  intestine  is  about  five  feet  long, 
including  the  rectum;  which  comprises  the 
last  eight  inches.  The  rectum,  like  the  rest  of 
the  intestinal  canal,  has  involuntary  muscles 
in  its  walls,  running  both  longitudinally  and 
circularly.  The  circular  musclar  fibers  near 
the  outlet  are  increased  in  thickness  and  form 
a  well  defined  ring,  about  one  inch  wide,  called 
the  internal  sphincter  muscle.  Just  beyond 
this,  but  entirely  separate  from  it,  is  the  ex- 
ternal sphincter,  of  voluntary  fibers,  which 
ordinarily  keeps,  the  anus  closed. 

Now  notice  the  different  kind  of  muscles 
composing  the  internal  and  external  sphinc- 
ters. The  external  sphincter  is  a  sort  of 
purse-string  muscle,  under  control  of  the  will, 
which  keeps  the  outlet  closed  except  when  we 
wish  to  discharge  the  contents  of  the  rectum. 
The  internal  sphincter,  is,  like  all  the  rest  of 
the  muscular  fibers  in  the  intestinal  wall,  an 
involuntary  muscle,  and  we  cannot  directly 
compel  it  to  open  or  shut  by  will,  power,  no 
matter  how  much  we  may  desire  it. 

The  contents  of  the  intestinal  canal  are 
propelled  onward  by  peristaltic,  or  worm-like 
movements,  which  are  entirely  involuntary. 

These  movements  are  caused  bv  wave-like 


CONSTIPATION.  89 

contractions  of  the  muscles  in  the  walls  of 
the  tubes,  each  "part  of  the  tube  as  the  wave 
reaches  it,  narrowing  its  caliber,  and  then 
gradually  relaxing  and  dilating.  This  wave 
of  contraction  is  gentle,  and  progresses  slowly 
from  above  downword.  The  advancing  wave 
is  always  preceded  by  a  wave  oi  relaxation,  or 
inhibition.  When  we  inhibit  or  relax  the  ten- 
sion of  the  muscular  fibers  in  any  circular  or- 
gan, as  intestine  or  bloodvessel,  the  organ 
naturally  dilates  and  the  space  in  its  center 
becomes  larger. 

As  the  contents  of  the  large  intestine  ar- 
rive  at  the  rectum  they  are  composed  of  un- 
digested  and  indigestible  matter,  about  75  per 
rent,  of  water,  and  considerable  waste  mater, 
including  cast-off  cells,  inorganic  salts,  putrid 
products,  and  bacteria.  When  a  sufficient 
(|iianlily  of  feces  has  arrived  in  the  rectum 
there  is  felt  a  need  of  expelling  it.  This  sen- 
sation varies  greatly,  according  to  the  amount 
of  matter  present,  and  the  susceptibility  of 
the  individual,  but  principally  owing  to  ihe 
nature  of  the  discharge.  If  the  matter  is 
raiher  solid,  and  of  a  non-irritating  nature,  it 
may  be  retained  in  the  rectum  for  hours,  or 
even  days,  while  if  it  be  watery  or  acrid,  as  in 


90  MILK    DIET. 

diarrhea,  the  strongest  effort  of  the  will  is 
sometimes  insufficient  to  keep  the  external 
sphincter  closed  and  prevent  a  passage  of  the 
contents. 

The  act  of  defecation  is  normally  an  invol- 
untary one,  as  may  be  seen  in  infants  and  an- 
imals on  a  natural  diet.  In  most  adults  it  he- 
comes  partly  voluntary,  owing  to  a  variety 
of  causes,  such  as  the  habit  of  preventing  the 
stool  until  a  convenient  time,  and  to  un- 
hygienic habits  in  general.  The  voluntary 
part  is,  however,  smaller  than  generally  sup- 
posed, consisting  mainly  in  the  relaxation  of 
the  outlet,  and  the  compression  of  the  abdom- 
inal contents  by  holding  the  breath  and  con- 
tracting the  diaphragm  and  abdominal  mus- 
cles. 

The  compression  of  the  abdomen,  or 
straining,  practiced  by  many  persons,  and 
particularly  constipated  people,  usually  does 
more  harm  than  good.  It  has  no  effect  on 
matter  in(  the  lower  part  of  the  rectum,  as 
Professor  Foster  says  in  his  Textbook  of 
Physiology:  "A  body  introduced  per  an  urn 
into  the  empty  rectum  is  not  affected  by  even 
forcible  contractions  of  the  abdominal 
walls." 


CONSTIPATION.  91 

Tf  the  peristaltic  movement  is  not  operat- 
ing in  the  rectum,  and  the  internal  sphincter  is 
not  properly  relaxed,  we  should  not  try  to 
have  a  movement.  If,  under  these  unfavor- 
able circumstances,  after  long  straining,  we 
do  succeed  in  our  object,  what  happens  is 
about  as  follows:  We  have  so  compressed  the 
abdominal  portion  of  the  large  intestine  that 
its  contents,  perhaps  unready  for  the  move- 
ment, are  squeezed  downward,  while  the  ab- 
sorption of  the  fluid  portion  is  unnaturally 
hastened,  and  matter  thrown  into  the  blood 
that  should  have  been  further  elaborated  in 
the  bowel,  or  discharged  with  the  feces. 

Although  a  passage  may  sometimes  be  ef- 
fected by  such  unnatural  straining,  its  results, 
both  immediate  and  remote,  are  bad.  The  im- 
mediate efTcct  .includes  the  disarrangement  of 
the  digestive  processes,  not  only  in  the  large 
intestine,  but  in  the  small  as  well,  and  prob- 
ably other  abdominal  organs,  in  the  forcible 
pushing  into  the  blood  and  lymphatic  circula- 
tions of  unsuitable  substances,  causing  head- 
aches and  auto-intoxication,  while  the  after 
consequences  are  that  the  constipated  habit  is 
more  firmly  fixed,  the  next  stool  almost  cer- 
tainly being  dry  and  hard,  and  the  natural 


92  MILK    DIET. 

mechanism  of  defecation  more  weakened  and 
less  inclined  to  perform  its  duty. 

Piles,  or  hemorrhoids,  are  probably  always 
caused  by  straining  at  stool,  as.  the  pressure 
prevents  the  venous  blood  returning  to  the 
heart  and  it  accumulates  in  the  mucous  mem- 
brane of  the  rectum  and  distends  it  until  tis- 
sue gives  way  and  a  blood  tumor,  or  pile,  re- 
sults. 

The  content's  of  the  bowel  act  in  different 
ways  to  produce  a  normal  stool.  By  irritating 
the  mucous  membrane,  nervous  centers  are  ex- 
cited which  cause  a  reflex  peristaltic  move- 
ment of  the  intestinal  muscles,  and  by  the  se- 
cretion, or  production  of  osmotic  conditions, 
which  cause  fluid  to  flow  into  the  cavity  of 
the  intestine,  until  it  becomes  so  watery  that 
it  may  be  discharged. 

Various  laxative  foods  act  directly,  on  the 
arrival  of  their  undigested  portions  at  the  rec- 
tum, as  the  coarse  fibers  of  cereal  coverings, 
small  seeds  of  fruit,  or  indigestible  skins  of 
tomatoes,  prunes,  etc.,  or  they  may  act  im- 
mediately through  the  circulation,  as  it  is  not 
uncommon  for  people  to  have  to  go  to  stool 
within  a  short  time  after  eating  the  first 
peach,  or  pear  of  the  season,  or  any  fruit  that 


CONSTIPATION.  93 

is  unusually  well  relished.  And  some  people 
say  that  eating  any  article  which  causes  a  cop- 
ious flow  of  saliva  will  bring  on  a  movement. 
A  small  amount  of  laxative  fruit  usually  acts 
better  than  too  large  a  quantity.  Some  doc- 
tors advise  the  eating  of  just  one  fig  at  bed- 
time, or  one  apple  before  breakfast,  knowing 
that  eating  a  larger  amount,  or  perhaps  over- 
eating, seems  to  have  frequently  the  opposite 
of  a  laxative  effect.  Overeating  of  any  food  or 
foods  is  a  prolific  source  of  constipation. 

While  constipation  is  an  unsanitary  habit, 
to  say  the  least,  it  is  nevertheless  a  fact  that 
many  people  who  have  it  magnify  the  con- 
dition and  its  dangers.  There  are  many  such 
persons,  whose  one  object  in  life  seems  to  be 
to  have  a  daily  movement,  whether  there  is 
anything  to  be  moved  or  not,  and  they  are  in 
misery  unless  they  have  it.  And,  after  having 
it,  by  force,  if  necessary,  they  are  not  happy, 
because  they  immediately  begin  to  plan  for 
Ihe  next  day.  Everything  they  eat  or  drink 
is  judged  by  the  test:  Is  it  constipating,  or 
not?  They  stuff  themselves  with  unsuitable 
foods,  because  some  one  declares  them  laxa- 
tive, and  they  decline  really  nutritious  articles, 
because  they  may  have  a  reputation  for  cans- 


94  MILK   DIET. 

ing  costiveness.  Their  drinks,  also,  have  to 
pass  the  same  test,  and  healthful  fluids  are  re- 
jected, perhaps  in  favor  of  some  foul  smelling 
and  tasting  mineral  water,  because  the  latter 
moves  their  bowels,  disregarding  the  fact  that 
these  waters  are  often  artificially  impregnated 
with  salts  by  the  manufacturers  and  may  con- 
tain many  impurities.  It  is  but  a  step  from 
them  to  out-and-out  cathartic  medicines,  ami 
then,  usually,  all  chance  of  restoring  the  nor- 
mal movements  of  the  bowels  is  gone,  except 
by  radical  action. 

A  simple  and  good  cure  for  many  of  these 
cases,  which  I  have  often  successfully  applied, 
where  the  people  had  common  sense  and  will 
power  enough  to  carry  it  out,  is  to  have  them 
eat,  in  moderation,  everything  they  relish, 
chewing  it  well,  and  instead  of  trying  to  have 
a  movement  of  the  bowels,  try  hard  not  to 
have  one.  Instead  of  yielding  to  the  first  faint 
hint  that  the  bowels  might  move,  restrain  it, 
until  the  next  day,  or  two  or  three  days,  if 
necessary.  Retain  even  the  gas,  if  any  is  in- 
clined to  pass,  and,  my  word  for  it,  there  will 
come  a  time  when  an  impulse  will  be  felt  . 
about  which  there  can  be  no  mistake,  and  a 
satisfactory  evacuation  will  result,  without 


CONSTIPATION.  95 

straining  or  forcing  into  the  circulation  a  lot 
of  stuff  which  does  not  belong  there.  Don't 
try  to  force  out  every  particle  that  you  think 
may  be  in  the  rectum,  but  keep  some  for  next 
time,  so  to  speak,  and  the  next  time  will  also 
be  easy,  and  the  next  time  after  that,  and  all 
the  other  times.  This  plan  will  not  suit  the 
manufacturers  of  expensive  machines  in- 
tended to  wash  all  the  food  out  of  the  colon, 
by  using  large  hot-water  injections.  They 
may  claim  that  you  will  get  ptomaine  poison- 
ing, or  auto-intoxication,  but  such  things,  in 
my  experience,  have  usually  been  caused  by 
bad  food,  imperfectly  digested,  forced  out  of 
the  colon  into  the  body  against  the  wishes  of 
the  absorptive  cells,  which  could  not  stand 
the  pressure  put  on  them. 

As  to  the  use  of  injections,  I  will  say  here, 
that  occasions  may  arise  when  they  are  tem- 
porarily of  great  use,  but  as  a  means  of  curing 
constipation,  it  is  irrational  to  distend  the 
bowel,  already  weakened  and  dilated,  with 
large  enemas  of  warm,  or  hot  water,  and  the 
most  difficult  cases  to  cure  are  those  where  the 
colon  and  rectum  are  paralyzed  from  long  use 
of  such  measures. 

There  would    be    very    little    constipation 


96  MILK    DIET. 

with  any  one,  if  the  internal  sphincter  relaxed 
readily.  While  it  is  contracted  it  acts  very 
much  like-  a  valve  or  gate,  opening  inwardly, 
and  the  more  pressure  we  put  on  it  the  tighter 
it  is  shut. 

Just  why  it  does  not  open,  or  relax,  when 
we  wish  it  to,  is  a  difficult  question  to  answer. 
It  cannot  be  relaxed  by  simply  willing  it  to  as 
we.  would  relax  the  muscles  of  the  arm,  for  it 
is  not  a  voluntary  muscle.  Some  people,  who 
are  always  on  a  nervous  tension,  put  so  much 
extra  force  on  the  external  sphincter  all  the 
time  that  it  gets  in  a  state  of  continuous  or 
tonic  contraction,  and  communicates  its  rig- 
idity to  the  internal  muscle  sympathetically. 
Such  people  may  suddenly  decide  that  it  is 
time  to  have  a  movement,  and  they  relax  the 
outer  muscle,  and  attempt,  by  pressure,  to 
overcome  the  resistance  of  the  inner  muscle. 
But  this  is  not  the  right  way  to  go  at  it. 

A  better  way  is  outlined  above;  simply 
wait  until  the  desire  is  irresistible;  then  the 
inner  sphincter  is  sure  to  be  relaxed  and  the 
peristaltic  movement  sufficient  to  move  the 
contents  out  without  using  abdominal  pres- 
sure. 

Another,  and  perhaps,  opposite  method  of 


CONSTIPATION.  97 

securing  the  desired  result  is  to  obtain  a  gen- 
eral relaxation  of  the  body,  which  will  second- 
arily or  sympathetically  affect  the  involuntary 
muscles.  This  is  explained  in  another  part, 
under  the  title  of  Rest. 

A  method  frequently  advised  is  the  use 
of  massage  over  the  abdomen,  by  manipula- 
tion with  the  hands,  or  rolling  a  cannon  ball 
over  the  location  of  the  colon,  or  bringing  the 
abdomen  forcibly  against  some  object,  as  a 
strap  between  two  posts.  All  these  are  unnat- 
ural procedures,  and  while  possibly  useful, 
temporarily,  in  some  cases,  they  never  tend  to 
produce  a  cure,  but  instead,  further  weaken 
the  intestinal  muscles  by  usurping  their  func- 
tions. 

As  contrasted  with  passive  exercise,  active 
exercise  is  far  better.  Exercise  of  any  part  of 
the  body  makes  deeper  breathing  necessary, 
and  that  means  more  up  and  down  action  of 
the  diaphragm,  which  in  turn  produces  more 
movements  of  the  abdominal  contents.  More 
oxygen  enters  the  blood,  and  more  blood  circu- 
1,'iles  through  the  vessels  everywhere,  stimu- 
lating all  the  muscles.  This  induces  warmth, 
and  perspiration,  and  when  there  is  external 
perspiration,  there  is  usually  a  watery  ex- 


98  MILK    DIET. 

cretion  through  the  mucous  membrane  of  the 
intestines  as  well,  for  the  inner  lining  of  the 
intestines  is  really  outside  of  the  body  proper, 
in  the  same  way  that  the  skin  is.  . 

Not  only  does  proper  exercise  bring  into 
use  the  external  muscles  of  the  abdomen, 
whose  action  is  readily  apparent,  but  also  im- 
portant muscles  lining  the  abdominal  cavity, 
connecting  the  backbone  and  pelvis  and 
thighs,  the  movements  of  which  must  have  a 
considerable  influence  on  the  abdominal  vis- 
cera. 

There  can  be  no  question  about  the  bene- 
fits of  exercise  to  the  constipated,  it  is  a  neces- 
sity. Movements  particularly  useful  in  these 
cases  will  be  explained  under  Exercise.  Some, 
directions  in  regard  to  diet  will  be  given  in  the 
chapter  entitled  After  Treatment. 

The  reader  will  note  that  so  far,  in  treating 
of  constipation,  I  am  speaking  of  persons-  in 
ordinary  circumstances,  and  not  those  on  the 
milk  diet,  or  resting. 

What  does  the  milk  diet  do  for  people  af- 
flicted with  constipation?  It  is  the  only  per- 
fect and  natural  cure  that  I  know  of. 

On  no  other   diet    can    the   bowels    be  re- 


CONSTIPATION.  99 

• 

stored  to  their  natural  functions,  while  the  pa- 
tient remains  in  bed,  resting. 

On  no  other  possible  diet  can  any  one  build 
up  the  entire  muscular  system  of  the  body, 
both  voluntary  and  involuntary,  while  taking 
complete  rest. 

On  no  other  diet  is  it  possible  for  one  to 
gain  healthy  flesh  rapidly,  without  exercising, 
or  submitting  to  massage. 

Most  people  find  that  drinking  fresh  milk 
with  other  food  increases  the  tendency  to  con- 
stipation. Even  when  they  attempt  an  exclu- 
sive milk  diet,  using  a  few  pints  daily,  the 
trouble  is  increased.  A  few  people  of  this 
class  say  that  milk  acts  as  a  laxative  to  them, 
and  the  use  of  buttermilk,  sour  milk,  and  sour 
milk  cheese,  tends  to  prevent  constipation  in 
nearly  every  case. 

It  is  impossible  to  use  anything  but  fresh 
milk  in  the  milk  cure,  because  that  is  the  only 
substance  that  the  stomach  can  take  contin- 
uously, for  unlimited  periods,  without  tiring  of 
or  rejecting.  However,  it  is  often  useful  to 
give  a  glass  or  two  of  buttermilk,  or  some  cot- 
tage cheese  (made  without  cooking)  if  the 
bowels  do  not  move  naturally  while  taking 
the  full  amount  of  milk.  Sour  milk  that  has 


100    ^  MILK    DIET. 

coagulated,  called  "clabber,"  or  ''loppered 
milk,"  may  be  beaten  up  with  an  egg-beater, 
and  makes  a  very  good  substitute  for  butter- 
milk. 

But  the  best  of  all  ways  of  overcoming  the 
initial  constipation  on  a  milk  diet  is  to  take 
more  milk.  In  every  case  there  is  necessarily 
a  considerable  portion  of  the  milk  undigested, 
and  the  percentage  of  undigested  matter  in- 
creases as  we  increase  the  amount  taken.  On 
a  generous  milk  diet  regular  stools  occur 
largely  as  a  mechanical  result  at  first;  the  ac- 
cumulated feces  are  too  great  in  amount 
to  be  retained.  This  is  often  noticed  where 
patients  are  taking  an  amount  of  milk  some- 
what too  small  to  cause  daily  movements.  In- 
creasing the  amount  one  or  two  pints  daily 
generally  has  an  immediate  effect,  changing 
the  discharge  from  dry,  hard,  round  balls  to 
a  soft,  continuous  cylinder,  with  more  fre- 
quent movements.  It  is  possible  that  only  a 
small  portion  of  the  additional  milk  is  di- 
gested, although  an  increased  rate  of  gain  in 
weight  is  always  shown  in  such  cases. 

While  it  is  true  that  certain  parts  of  the 
milk,  as  the  fat  and  casein,  or  cheese,  are 
never  entirely  digested,  there  are  other  parts, 


CONSTIPATION.  101 

as  albumin,  milk  sugar,  and  mineral  salts,  that 
are  completely  assimilated.  The  cells  lining 
the  alimentary  canal  have  a  selective  action; 
they  take  out  what  is  needed,  and  reject  the 
remainder,  and,  under  the  natural  conditions 
surrounding  the  milk  cure,  it  is  always  better 
to  provide  too  much  food  than  too  little,  in 
order  to  he  sure  of  getting  enough  of  the  ab- 
solutely necessary  materials.  Where  only  one 
kind  of  food  is  taken,  it  is  a  simple  matter  for 
the  digestive  apparatus  to  select  from  it  the 
needed  ingredients,  and  pass  on  the  residue. 
The  dream  of  theorists  that  some  day  we  may 
he  able  to  supply  all  the  needs  of  the  body  by 
means  of  a  daily  pill  and  a  swallow  of  liquid, 
and  not  have  any  undigested  residue  to  both- 
er with,  will  never  come  true. 

P>efore  starting  the  milk  diet,  constipated 
persons  should  have  at  least  36  hours  fast 
from  ordinary  foods,  but  any  ripe,  fresh,  or 
dried  fruits  (except  bananas)  may  be  -eaten. 
If  ihe  stomach  is  too  weak  to  handle  raw 
fruits,  they  ma}-  be  cooked,  without  using 
sugar.  Several  glasses  of  water,  either  hot  or 
cold,  should  be  taken,  but  do  not  distend  the 
stomach  with  it  too  much,  for  water,  taken  in 
unusual  quantities,  is  almost  as  indigestible 


102  MILK   DIET. 

and  uncomfortable  as  some  foods  are,  to  a 
weak  stomach.  It  is  not  absolutely  necessary 
to  have  fruit  during  the  fast,  and  if  patients 
cannot  find  fruit  that  they  can  eat  wih  a  relish, 
they  had  better  omit  it.  But  where  fruit  is 
eaten,  it  is  frequently  the  case  that,  on  be- 
ginning' the  milk  diet,  the  bowels  move  spoil 
taneously  the  first  day.  If  the  bowels  do  not 
move  the  first  day,  let  them  go  until  the  next 
morning,  unless  positive  discomfort  is  experi- 
enced, and,  if  no  indications  of  a  movement  on 
the  second  day,  an  enema  of  warm  water  (at 
the  body  temperature)  may  be  taken.  No 
more  water  should  be  taken  than  is  necessary 
to  accomplish  the  purpose,  and,  if  even  a  small 
passage  is  secured,  do  nothing  more  until  the 
next  morning,  unless  the  bowels  move  nat- 
urally. Do  not  strain,  or  attempt  to  force  a 
movement. 

The  movement  on  the  morning  of  the  sec- 
ond day  of  milk  drinking  will  contain  the  un- 
digested part  of  the  fruit  eaten  just  before 
starting  the  milk,  and  perhaps  the  last  part  of 
it  will  be  tinged  white  or  yellow  by  the  milk. 
The  movement  on  the  third  morning  may  still 
contain  traces  of  the  fruit,  but  will  be  mostly 
a  milk  stool. 


CONSTIPATION.  103 

If  any  trouble  is  experienced  in  passing 
fcccs  from  the  rectum,  even  with  the  aid  of  an 
enema,  it  will  be  on  this  third  morning,  and 
never  after  that.  It  is  only  a  local  trouble, 
right  at  the  outlet  of  the  rectum,  and  copious 
injections  of  warm  water,  with  perhaps  a  little 
soapsuds  or  castor  oil,  will  overcome  it,  and  it 
will  not  recur,  if  the  milk  is  kept  going  reg- 
ularly. 

It  is  best  to  secure  an  evacuation  every- 
day, if  only  a  small  one,  and  the  warm  water 
enema  will  be  all  that  is  necessary  to  obtain 
it.  If  the  injection  is  needed  for  several  days, 
decrease  the  amount  of  water  used  every  day, 
until  only  about  a  teacupful  is  used.  The  rec- 
tum will  be  getting  more  power  all  the  time, 
and  probably  the  feces  will  become  softer. 

After  about  a  week  of  using  the  warm 
water  injections  without  securing  spontaneous 
movements,  it  is  a  good  plan  to  use  a  very 
small  injection  of  cold  water,  the  colder  the 
better.  Cold  water  acts  as  a  stimulant  to  the 
rectal  muscles  and  causes  a  contraction  which 
brings  on  the  movement.  Usually  two  or 
three  trials  with  cold  water  will  put  the  bow- 
els in  shape  to  have  natural  movements. 

The  color  of  the  stools,  after  the  bowels 


104  MILK   DIET. 

are  clear  of  food  previously  eaten,  is  a  chalky, 
or  grayish  white,  in  nearly  every  case.  A  few 
persons  have  soft  stools,  of  a  yellowish  color, 
right  from  the  start.  As  the  patient  goes  on 
with  the  diet,  more  yellow  color  appears,  and 
the  discharge  is  softer,  and  movements  more 
frequent — two  or  three  a  day.  A  light  orange 
color  usually  indicates  a  good  condition  of  the 
bowels. 

When  normal  evacuations  are  established, 
there  is  never  any  return  to  a  constipated  con- 
dition so  long  as  the  same  conditions  of  rest, 
milk,  etc.,  are  continued.  When  ordinary  diet 
and  habits  are  resumed  there  is  very  seldom 
any  difficulty,  because  the  regular  habits  es- 
tablished while  on  the  milk,  and  the  increased 
power  of  the  peristaltic  muscles,  the  improved 
digestion,  and  increased  circulation,  all  tend 
to  prevent  a  relapse. 

There  have  been  patients  with  obstinate 
and  long-continued  constipation,  who,  for  lack 
of  time,  could  not  stick  to  the  milk  diet  long 
enough  to  entirely  overcome  their  trouble,  but 
who  found  their  movements  entirely  regular 
on  resuming  ordinary  diet. 

Of  all  the  constipated  people  who  have 
taken  the  treatment  correctly,  for  at  least  four 
weeks,  at  least  98  per  cent,  have  been  com- 
pletely and  permanently  cured. 


CHAPTER  VI. 
CONSUMPTION. 

The  milk  diet  has,  in  my  experience,  been 
used  more  by  consumptives  than  any  other 
class  of  invalids. 

This  is  partly  due  to  the  greater  prevalence 
of  tuberculosis  and  partly  to  the  fact  that  the 
immediate  gain  in  weight  appeals  to  them. 

All  consumptives  know  that  a  decrease  of 
weight  nearly  always  means  an  increase  in  the 
disease;  conversely,  they  believe  increasing 
weight  indicates  a  gain  in  health. 

Of  far  greater  value  than  the  mere  increase 
in  weight  is  the  improvement  in  the  blood, 
both  in  quantity  and  quality,  and  the  changes 
in  the  lungs  it  brings  about. 

In  addition  to  the  increased  capacity  of  the 
lungs  previously  spoken  of,  there  are  some 
characteristic  reactions  which  always  occur  in 
pulmonary  tuberculosis. 

Many  people  contract  consumption  and  are 
completely  cured  simply  because  their  vitality 
is  strong  enough  to  overcome  the  germs. 


106  MILK   DIET. 

Just  as  soon  as  a  consumptive  has  suffici- 
ent blood  to  prevent  the  wasting  of  the  tis- 
sues, the  loss  of  weight  stops,  and  on  a  further 
increase  of  the  nutritive  fluids,  the  healthy 
ceh»  are  so  strengthened  as  to  prevent  any  ex- 
tension of  the  disease.  Next  follows  in  nat- 
ural order  the  recovery  of  the  affected  cells, 
or  the  development  of  new  ones,  and  the  elim- 
ination or  absorption  of  the  germs. 

Almost  every  case  of  tuberculosis  with 
consolidation  of  lung  tissue,  starting  in  on 
the  milk  diet,  has  a  coughing1  crisis,  generally 
about  the  end  of  the  first  week.  The  cough 
and  expectoration  greatly  increase  as  the  con- 
solidated portions  of  the  lung  loosen  up  and 
air  enters  the  cells  which  have  been  filled  up 
with  the  products  of  the  disease. 

The  cough  is  easy  and  the  sputum  comes 
up  from  the  lungs  readily,  while  previously 
the  cough  may  have  been  hard  and  ineffective. 

Most  of  the  authorities  on  tuberculosis  in- 
clude among  the  first  sign?  of  improvement  a 
decrease  of  the  cough  and  expectoration. 

This  may  be  the  case  in  a  dry  climate  on  an 
ordinary  diet,  because  the  inflammatory  pro- 
ducts would  be  gradually  absorbed  and  large- 


CONSUMPTION.  107 

ly  eliminated  through  other  channels  or  per- 
haps even  made  over  and  used  in  the  system. 

Probably  this  process  also  occurs  to  some 
extent  in  this  treatment  but  I  have  seen  al- 
most a  quart  of  sputum  come  from  a  patient 
in  twenty-four  hours  at  this  time. 

Later  on,  of  course,  the  coughing  and  sput- 
um decrease. 

On  physical  examination  at  this  stage  the 
air  is  heard  entering  the  previously  soljd  por- 
tions of  the  lungs  and  as  the  air  cells  become 
cleared  out,  the  breathing  sounds  become  nor 
mal.  Tn  cases  where  cavities  have  formed 
from  the  breaking  down  of  the  consolidated 
area,  sounds  are  heard  later  on,  indicating, the 
hardening  of  the  walls  of  the  cavity  and  ces- 
sation of  the  extension  of  the  disease. 

After  another  period  of  time  the  cavity 
tuny  decrease  in  size.  I  have  observed  cav- 
ities as  large  as  a  sugar  bowl  become  cleared 
out  and  firm  walls  formed  around  them  and* 
years  after  have  noticed  a  sinking  in  of  the 
chest  walls  and  almost  complete  obliteration 
of  the  cavities  with  normal  lung  tissue  around 
them. 

Air  is  more  important  to  a  consumptive 
than  to  any  other  invalid.  In  my  opinion  it 


108  MILK   DIET. 

does  not  matter  what  kind  of  air  so  long  as  it 
is  pure. 

If  the  condition  is  serious  you  must  stay  in 
the  open  air  day  and  night.  Keep  out  of 
rooms,  churches,  theatres,  cars  or  any  crowd- 
ed place. 

Under  ordinary  hygienic  treatment  many 
cases  have  been  cured  at  high  altitudes,  others 
in  the  Salton  sink  below  sea  level,  others  on 
long  sea  voyages  or  on  sea  islands,  others  in 
the  dry  air  of  Arizona  and  others  in  the  moist 
air  of  Cuba  and  Florida. 

On  a  milk  diet  or  not,  a  third  stage  con- 
sumptive who  has  regained  his  health  in  a  cer- 
tain climate  should  stay  there. 

The  lung  tissue  built  up  on  a  Colorado 
mountain  will  not  long  stand  the  air  of  Xe-\v 
York  City.  Many,  many  cases  that  come  to 
Arizona  and  get  "cured,"  return  to  other 
States  to  live,  and  after  again  losing  health, 
come  .back  to  Arizona. 

But  the  "cure"  seldom  works  the  second 
time,  never  the  third. 

I  say  to  you,  pick  out  a  place  where  you 
are  satisfied  to  live  and  when  you  regain  your 
health  you  can  remain  there  and  retain  it. 

One   thing  I  wish  to   caution   third   stage 


CONSUMPTION.  109 

consumptives  about.  There  is  only  one  pos- 
sible clanger  to  anyone  taking  the  milk  cure 
and  that  is  the  rupture  of  an  artery  or  aneur- 
ism from  the  increased  blood  pressure. 

I  heard  of  a  patient  who  had  an  aneurism 
or  blood  tumor  caused  by  a  wound  of  the 
large  artery  of  the  thigh  and  on  beginning  a 
milk  diet  the  pressure  of  the  blood  ruptured 
the  aneurism  causing  a  fatal  hemorrhage  be- 
fore medical  aid  could  be  summoned. 

The  same  danger  would  be  present  after  a 
major  surgical  operation,  and  is  well  under- 
stood in  hospitals,  where  such  patients  are 
given  very  little  fluid  for  some  days  after  the 
operation. 

1  do  not  believe  this  clanger  would  be  pres- 
ent with  an  aneurism  caused  by  disease  of  the 
artery,  because  the  new  blood  would  rapidly 
strengthen  and  restore  the  weakened  walls.  I 
would  not  hesitate  to  apply  the  milk  diet  to 
such  a  case,  beginning  it  rather  gradually  and 
should  confidently  expect  a  complete  cure,  but 
such  patients  must  have  complete  rest  for  sev- 
eral weeks. 

T  can  imagine  a  patient  with  a  cavity  in  the 
lung  crossed  by  an  artery,  whose  walls  arc 


110  MILK   DIET. 

eroded    and  weak,    which     might    break    and 
cause  considerable  loss  of  blood. 

Out  of  several  hundred  lung  cases  I  have 
never  heard  of  any  serious  hemorrhages,  but 
where  cavities  are  suspected  to  exist,  the  be- 
ginning of  the  diet  should  be  gradual,  com- 
mencing with,  say,  three  quarts  and  increas- 
ing one  glass  daily  until  the  regular  amount  is 
reached  about  the  third  week. 

There  may  be  small  hemorrhages  from 
capillary  vessels  which  are  extending  into  the 
diseased  tissues,  where  the  circulation  had 
previously  been  absent,  but  they  amount  to 
nothing.  They  soon  close  and  the  loss  of 
blood  is  not  noticed  where  it  is  being  made  so 
rapidly. 

Bleeding  from  the  mucous  membrane  of 
the  nose  and  throat  may  also  occur  where 
there  has  been  a  catarrhal  condition,  but  it 
is  always  slight  and  never  harmful. 

Those  living  in  high  altitudes  and  subject 
to  hemorrhage  should  always  begin  milk 
gradually 


CHAPTER  VII. 
CATARRH  AND  ASTHMA 

Catarrh  is  a  very  common  disorder,  affect- 
ing the  mucous  membranes  in  various  parts  of 
the  body.  It  varies  from  a  slight,  transient, 
"cold  in  the  head,"  to  chronic  and  serious  con- 
ditions of  the  nasal  passages,  throat,  lungs, 
stomach,  intestines,  etc. 

At  first  one  may  be  subject  to  the  attacks 
only  at  certain  times  of  the  year,  following  ex- 
posure to  unusual  weather  conditions,  usually 
after  being  over-heated,  but  afterward  it  may 
be  present,  more  or  less,  all  the  time. 

The  milk  diet  treatment  seems  to  have  a 
direct  and  invariably  beneficial  effect  on  ca- 
tarrhal  conditions  of  any  mucous  membrane, 
the  very  first  result  is  a  strengthening  and 
general  building  up  of  the  softer  tissues  of  the 
body,  those  which  are  first  influenced  by  a 
richer  blood  supply,  and  the  cells  of  which 
these  mucous  membranes  are  composed,  are 
very  quickly  influenced. 


112  MILK   DIET. 

If  no  serious  complications  have  set  in, 
there  is  no  case  of  catarrh  or  hay  fever  that 
cannot  be  permanently  cured  by  a  four  weeks' 
course  of  milk  diet. 

Some  of  the  happiest  cases  I  have  had 
were  asthmatics,  and  I  can  state  positively 
that,  if  the  disease  has  not  progressed  to  the 
stage  where  the  air  cells  of  the  lungs  have 
broken  down  into  emphysematous  cavities,  a 
complete  cure  may  be  made. 

At  first,  asthma  is  only  a  nervous  disorder, 
but  after  years  of  straining,  and  wheezing,  and 
"doping,"  most  asthmatics  develop  emphy- 
sema and  bronchitis.  As  with  other  nervous 
troubles,  here,  too,  the  milk  diet  is  a  specific. 
But  patients  must  throw  away  their  medicine 
bottles,  inhalers,  and  smokers  ,and  depend  en- 
tirely on  the  milk,  with  complete  rest,  and 
warm  baths.  The  cure  cannot  take  place  as 
long  as  applications  of  cocaine,  or  other 
"deadeners"  are  made  to  the  air  passages. 
The  first  thing  to  learn  to  do,  after  starting 
the  milk,  is  to  relax  the  whole  body,  and  lie 
down  flat  in  bed,  and  this  point  usually  comes 
even  in  some  bad  cases,  within  the  first  two  or 
three  days.  After  that  time  the  recovery  goes 
on  without  interruption.  Do  not  discontinue 


CATARRH    AND    ASTHMA.  113 

the  rest  part  of  the  treatment  too  soon,  but  let 
it  bear  some  relation  to  the  time  the  disease 
has  existed.  As  the  patient  gets  stronger,  the 
lungs  clearer,  and  the  breathing  regular,  in- 
crease the  air  in  the  room  and  remove  some  of 
the  covering  from  the  bed.  Harden  them  off 
before  getting  up  and  beginning  exercises. 
Continue  the  milk  for  weeks,  perhaps,  after 
getting  up,  if  the  case  has  been  serious.  It  is 
important,  even  more  so  than  in  other  dis- 
eases, to  do  the  cure  completely  at  the  first 
trial,  and  not  stop,  after  a  certain  amount  of 
improvement  is  obtained,  with  the  expectation 
of  finishing  up  some  other  time. 

Asthma  is  easily  curable  previous  to  the 
time  that  actual  breaking  down  of  lung  tissue 
takes  place,  and  after  that  I  know  of  nothing 
that  will  give  more  relief  than  the  milk -diet. 
Old  cases  of  asthma,  with  chronic  bronchitis 
and  emphysema  look,  and  I  suppose  they  feel, 
like  the  most  miserable  people  in  the  world. 
But  there  is  always  a  great  improvement  on 
the  milk  cure,  especially  if  they  break  away 
from  their  depressant  medicines, — a  thing 
they  are  very  loathe  to  do. 

I  made  no  distinction  between  the  different 
forms  of  asthma,  as  usually  classified:  Cardiac, 


114  MILK   DIET. 

renal,  peptic,  thymic,  nocturnal  or  various 
forms  of  hay  fever;  the  greatest  possible  bene- 
fit for  all  of  them  is  obtained  on  the  milk  diet. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 
RHEUMATISM. 

The  milk  diet  treatment  can  be  applied  to 
rheumatism,  with  the  greatest  confidence  in 
a  successful  outcome.  I  have  never  seen  nor 
heard  of  a  return  of  any  manifestation  of 
rheumatism  in  any  one  who  had  taken  the 
milk  cure.  It  may  well  be  asked:  Why  are 
there  so  many  suffering  from  rheumatism  if 
such  a  simple  thing  will  cure  them?  There 
are  several  answers  to  this  question,  but  there 
is  no  good  reason.  Many  people  with  rheuma- 
tism, gout,  chronic  bronchitis,  and  similar 
diseases  are  fleshy,  plethoric  and  over-weight, 
and  the  milk  diet  does  not  appeal  to  them  be- 
cause, if  correctly  taken,  it  means  an  increase 
in  weight,  at  first,  anyway. 

Very  many  of  them  are  gross  eaters;  some 
hygienic  writers  go  so  far  as  to  say  that  they 
all  are.  Not  many  are  willing  to  give  up  the 
pleasures  of  the  table  for  an  exclusive  milk 
diet. 


116  MILK   DIET. 

A  fast  is  often  beneficial  to  this  class,  but 
most  of  them  will  not  listen  to  it.  If  they 
fast  for  a  time  they  commit  such  excesses 
when  they  resume  eating  as  to  nullify  all  the 
benefits. 

Those  who  can  afford  it  go  from  one  hot 
spring  to  another,  drinking  vile  tasting  and 
smelling  waters,  taking  mud  baths  and  being 
doctored  by  all  kinds  of  quacks,  with  all  sorts 
of  medicines.  The  resorts  where  a  "good 
table"  is  set  appeal  to  them  the  most  and  hold 
them  the  longest.  Very  few  permanent  cures 
are  performed  in  these  places. 

Some,  like  the  Arkansas  Hot  Springs,  often 
greatly  benefit  invalids,  but  there  the  water 
is  quite  pure,  and  the  good  results  come  from 
the  change  to  the  pleasant  mountain  air, 
drinking  large  quantities  of  water,  taking  a 
daily  warm  bath,  and  experiencing  a  general 
improvement  of  hygienic  conditions. 

I  have  seen  fully  as  good  results  in  Long 
Beach,  California,  from  a  free  use  of  the 
soft,  artesian  water,  together  with  a  more 
correct  diet. 

The  milk  cure  does  not  meet  with  the  ideas 
of  most  rheumatic  people  because  they  must 
take  a  fast  to  begin  with,  and  next  they  must 


RHEUMATISM.  117 

cut  off  their  meat,  eggs,  tea,  coffee,  whiskey 
and  tobacco. 

They  cannot  see  the  need  of  going  to  bed 
for  they  think  that  would  make  them  weak; 
they  would  rather  hobble  around  for  years 
like  cripples  than  go  to  bed  for  a  fortnight 
and  get  well. 

Many  sufferers  from  rheumatism  have 
started  in  bravely  on  the  milk  diet,  but  have 
stopped  short  when  a  natural  reaction  oc- 
curred. In  this  disease,  as  in  many  others, 
the  first  sign  of  a  cure  is  a  stirring  up  of  the 
old  trouble,  causing  often  a  recurrence  of  the 
rheumatic  attacks. 

It  is  very  common,  almost  the  rule,  I 
should  say,  for  a  case  of  chronic  rheumatism, 
starting  on  the  milk  diet  properly,  to  have 
a  return  of  the  old  malady. .  If  the  disease 
has  prevously  taken  the  form  of  lumbago, 
after  a  few  days  of  the  diet,  some  movement, 
or  muscular  effort,  will  suddenly  bring  on  a 
typical  attack  of  the  pain  and  spasm.  If  the 
patient  keeps  on  with  the  milk  the  attack  dis- 
appears after  a  day  or  two,  but  within  a  few 
days  more  a  second  attack  may  come  on.  but 
always  much  lighter  than  the  first.  I  have 


118  MILK    DIET. 

seen   even   a  third   attack,   but   so  slight  as  to 
cause  no  inconvenience. 

If  the  patient  goes  through  the  first  attack 
without  ceasing  the  regular  taking  of  the  milk, 
any  further  appearance  of  the  trouble  will  not 
hinder  a  cure,  because  it  will  be  evident  from 
the  lighter  form  that  the  disease  is  being  mas- 
tered. The  explanation  of  these  "crises"  may 
be  found  in  the  fact  that  the  circulation  of  the 
blood  is  greatly  stimulated  while  it  is  not  yet 
purified.  The  excess  of  fibrin,  the  uric  or  lac- 
tic acid,  or  whatever  the  rheumatic  poison 
may  be,  is  still  in  the  blood  and  being  driven 
around  with  greater  force,  or  into  parts  where 
previously  the  circulation  had  been  stagnant, 
it  is  only  natural  that  such  reactions  should 
occur.  These  things  are  discouraging  to  peo- 
ple who  have  been  in  the  habit  of  taking  med- 
icine to  relieve  the  attacks,  and  who  have  con- 
sidered that  medicine  the  best  which  most 
completely  and  quickly  stopped  the  pain  and 
discomfort. 

It  is  the  old  story  of  something  quick  and 
easy,  some  immediate  effect,  the  suppression 
of  some  symptom  which  is  only  the  surface 
indication  of  deeper  trouble;  present  relief  re- 
gardless of  future  trouble. 


RHEUMATISM.  119 

The  process  of  eliminating  the  rheumatic 
poison  on  a  milk  diet,  if  slow,  is  sure.  Milk 
does  not  contain  the  elements  from  which  this 
poison  is  made,  and  gradually,  the  new  blood, 
working  within  the  body,  assisted  by  the 
baths  keeping  the  external  skin  soft  and  por- 
ous, drives  rheumatism  out  of  every  tissue  of 
the  body,  and,  best  of  all,  there  is  a  complete 
correction  of  the  abnormal  process  of  assimi- 
lation, digestion,  or  elimination  which  allows 
this  poison  to  accumulate  in  the  blood. 

It  is  a  genuine  cure,  not  simply  temporary 
relief.  We  do  not  know  why  certain  people 
should  have  rheumatism,  when  others,  living 
apparently  in  the  same  way,  should  be  free 
from  it ;  why  one  class  of  people  is  subject  to 
rheumatism,  but  never  have  tuberculosis,  and 
another  class  is  liable  to  be  consumptive,  but 
never  rheumatic.  Innumerable  volumes  have 
been  written  on  rheumatism,  gout,  Bright's  . 
disease,  chronic  bronchitis,  asthma,  etc.,  but  to 
my  mind  they  are  all  different  manifestations 
of  the  same  disease,  and  that  disease  is  simply 
the  deranged  condition  of  the  assimilative  or 
eliminative  organs  which  permits  the  poison 
to  accumulate  in  the  blood. 

Undoubtedly  the  class  of  food  eaten  has 


120  MILK    DIET. 

an  important  influence,  for  meat  extract,  meat 
and  fish  always  increase  the  amount  of  acid 
in  the  blood,  while  a  vegetarian  diet  always 
decreases  it.  Tea,  coffee,  and  cocoa  also  con- 
tain the  so-called  purin  bodies  or  bases,  of 
which  group  uric  acid  is  a  member.  Milk  is 
absolutely  free  from  these  bodies. 

Prof.  Weir  Mitchell  says  uric  acid  disap- 
pears from  the  urine  while  skimmed  milk 
alone  is  being  taken,  but  reappears  on  the 
addition  of  other  foods,  especially  meat.  I  do 
not  think  skimming  the  cream  from  the  milk 
would  make  any  difference.  I  am  sure  that  my 
rheumatic  patients  obtain  freedom  from  uric 
acid  by  the  use  of  unskimmed  milk.  The 
urine  of  these  patients  from  being  highly  acid, 
changes  very  quickly  to  the  normal  condition 
of  a  very  slight  acidity,  due  to  acid  phos- 
phates. The  perspiration,  however,  continues 
highly  acid  for 'several  days,  and  sometimes 
for  weeks.  The  odor  from  a  rheumatic  pa- 
tient on  the  milk  diet  is  distinctive  and  un- 
mistakable', but  becomes  gradually  less  as  they 
go  on  to  a  cure.  Many  other  patients  have 
odors  of  more  or  less  intensity  emanating 
from  the  skin,  and  none  of  them  may  be  con- 
sidered cured  as  long  as  this  persists,  no  mat- 
ter how  well  they  may  otherwise  appear. 


RHEUMATISM.  121 

There  is  no  form  of  rheumatism,  acute  or 
chronic,  of  the  bones  or  muscles,  so  far  as  I 
know,  that  cannot  be  successfully  treated  by 
I  IK-  milk  diet.  But  there  are  some  cases  with 
obscure,  deep-seated  pains,  probably  in  the 
hones  and  worse  at  night,  which  are  not  rheu- 
matism at  all,  and  cannot  be  cured  in  as  short 
a  period  as  rheumatism  can. 

T  have  treated  several  cases  of  rheumatoid 
arthritis  with  bad  ankylosed  or  stiffened 
joints.  The  progress  of  the  disease  always 
stops  on  the  milk  diet,  and,  to  my  surprise, 
at  least  two  patients  recovered  movement  in 
joints  which  I  had  thought  permanently  stiff, 
1  ut  the  diet  was  continued  for  some  months 
in -both  cases. 


CHAPTER   IX. 
VARIOUS  DISEASES  . 

I  am  often  asked  if  the  milk  diet  is  good 
for  this  or  that  disease,  or  if  it  will  suit  certain 
cases,  as,  for  instance,  where  there  is  an  aver- 
sion to  milk,  or  a  dilated  stomach,  or  where  it 
causes  constipation  or  diarrhea,  or  if  it  is  not 
dangerous  to  use  in  heart,  or  kidney  disease. 

Anyone  can  take  the  milk  diet,  if  he  starts 
right,  and  it  is  good  for  any  chronic  disease, 
without  exception. 

I  have  never  seen  it  used,  in  full  amount, 
for  acute  diseases  like  typhoid  fever,  nor 
would  it  be  practicable  to  give  it  during  the 
height  of  an  attack  of  appendicitis,  but  I 
have  seen  many  cases  where  health  was  lost 
through  typhoid  and  restored  on  the  milk  diet, 
and  other  patients  subject  to  periodical  at- 
tacks of  appendicitis,  have  remained  in  perfect 
health  after  their  course  of  milk  diet. 

It  makes  no  difference  whether  a  person 
likes  milk  or  not.  One  of  my  most  satisfac- 
tory cases  was  a  lady  who  had  not  been  able 


VARIOUS    DISEASES.  123 

to  take  any  milk  for  over  forty  years.  There 
is  no  great  difficulty  in  handling  the  proper 
amount  of  milk  if  it  is  taken  in  the  small 
and  frequent  doses  that  I  recommend,  and 
the  patient  kept  a»t  rest  until  the  stomach  and 
bowels  are  working  well. 

Certain  specialists  say  that  a  dilated 
stomach  is  a  bar  to  an  exclusive  milk  diet. 
This  is  a  great  mistake.  A  dilated  stomach  is 
one  of  the  easiest  things  to  cure  on  the  milk 
diet.  Probably  if  only  a  small  quantity  was 
taken  it  might  aggravate  the  trouble,  but 
where  the  proper  amount,  or  anywhere  near 
it,  is  given,  there  is  no  difficulty  in  restoring 
the  tone,  strength  and  proper  size  of  a  weak- 
ened and  dilated  stomach.  T  think  the  stom- 
ach is  the  first  organ  to  be  restored  to  a 

* 

healthy  function,  in  nearly  every  case. 

Chronic  diarrhea  can  be  cured  on  a  milk 
diet  in  a  few  days,  if  the  patient  can  take 
sufficient  milk  to  raise  the  blood  pressure  and 
heart  pulsations.  One  lady  with  a  long  stand- 
ing case  of  this  trouble,  took  milk  for  four 
weeks,  with  little  apparent  improvement,  ex- 
cept that  her  weight  increased  from  85  to  94 
pounds.  She  had  been  weak  and  nervous, 
largely,  I  think,  as  a  result  of  a  severe  capital 


124  MILK    DIET. 

operation  she  had  undergone  at  Battle  Creek, 
Michigan.  She  could  only  take  about  three 
quarts  daily,  and  this  seemed  to  be  too  Hi  tie- 
to  restore  the  proper  circulation.  But  for- 
tunately, when  she  resumed  ordinary  diet  her 
bowels  operated  in  a  perfectly  normal  man- 
ner, and  after  nearly  three  years  her  health 
continues  good.  A  gentleman  from  Maine 
who  suffered  from  membranous  colitis,  which 
had  become  so  acute  that  he  was  losing 
five  pounds  a  week  in  weight,  took  the  milk 
diet  carefully  under  my  supervision,  and  at 
the  end  of  five  weeks  I  discharged  him  per- 
manently cured. 

Regarding  kidney  disease,  some  doctors 
without  personal  knowledge  on  the  subject 
have  declared  that  such  excessive  quantities 
of  milk  would  ruin  any  kidney.  In  answer  T 
say  that  the  amount  is  not  excessive,  but  only 
the  natural  amount  required,  and  that  the 
kidneys  do  stand  it,  and  grow  healthier  every 
day.  It  is  no  hardship  for  any  organ  of  the 
body  to  exercise  its  natural  function  when  it 
is  given  the  proper  material  to  work  upon. 
The  function  of  the  kidney  is  to  separate  from 
the  blood  and  eliminate  from  the  body  certain 
salts  and  waste  materials,  and  raising  the 


VARIOUS    DISEASES  125 

blood  pressure  and  increasing  the  amount  of 
blood  makes  this  function  easier.  The  fact 
that  a  much  larger  quantity  of  urine  is  passed 
on  the  milk  diet  than  usual  only  indicates  that 
the  work  of  elimination  is  assisted  by  the 
larger  amount  of  water  passing  through  the 
kidney. 

The  urine  of  a  healthy  person  is  more  or 
less  poisonous.  It  contains  toxic  materials 
eliminated  from  the  blood.  In  Bright's  dis- 
ease these  poisons  are  reduced  in  quantity  or 
di sapper  from  the  urine  because  the  diseased 
kidney  is  no  longer  capable  of  separating  them 
from  the  blood.  The  sweat  glands  are  able  to* 
excrete  a  portion  of  this  matter  through  the 
perspiration,  but  sooner  or  later  its  retention 
in  the  blood  is  apt  to  cause  uremic  convul- 
sions. 

As  the  urine  is  increased  to  three  or  four 
times    the    usual    amount    by    this    treatment 
either  one  or  both  of  two  things  must  happen 
The  waste  and  toxic  matter  is  very  much  di- 
luted by  the  additional  water,  or,  a  very  much 
larger  amount  of  waste  is  excreted. 

In  the  first  case  the  elimination  should  be 
easier  by  reason  of  the  greater  amount  of  fluid 


126  MILK    DIET. 

washing  out  the  tubes ;  in  the  second  case  the 
blood   is   purified  more  rapidly. 

The  human  kidney  is  never  found  in  a  per- 
fect condition.  Sections  for  microscopic  study 
in  physiological  laboratories  are  usually  made 
from  the  kidn.ey  of  some  of  the  lower  animals, 
or  possibly  from  that  of  a  child.  The  adult 
kidney  always  shows  more  or  less  patholog- 
ical change  in  the  delicate  structure  and  com- 
plicated arrangement  of  the  uriniferous  tub- 
ules. 

I  have  seen  many  very  serious  cases  of  al- 
^buminuria  and  Bright's  disease  take  the  milk 
cure,  during  the  last  27  years,  and  I  have 
never  heard  of  any  of  them  having  any  trou- 
ble from  the  disease  afterward.  I  believe 
that  diseased  kidneys  are  restored  to  almost 
perfect  condition  by  the  milk  diet. 

Regarding  heart  disease,  meaning  usually 
organic  or  valvular  disease,  there  is  a  general 
impression  that  the  less  fluids  given  the  better 
it  is  for  the  patient.  Schroth's  method  of  an 
almost  entire  dry  diet  was  thought  to  be  good 
for  heart  disease;  Oertel's  method  of  dry 
diet,  with  active  exercise,  helped  many  cases, 
and  Tuffnell's  treatment  of  absolute  rest 


VARIOUS    DISEASES.  127 

with  a  dry  and  very  restricted  diet  has  made 
some  remarkable  cures. 

I  was,  for  many  years,  under  the  impres- 
sion that  the  milk  diet  could  not  be  given  in 
severe  forms  of  heart  disease,  but  I  have  so 
completely  changed  my  views,  simply  from 
the  result  of  observation,  that  I  now  feel  sure 
the  milk  diet  can  be  given  to  any  case,  of 
heart  disease,  with  the  greatest  success  pos- 
sible to  any  treatment.  Further  than  that,  I 
make  the  prediction  that  the  future  treatment 
of  severe  forms  of  organic  and  functional,  or 
nervous  heart  disease,  and  aneurisms,  will  con- 
sist almost  entirely  of  the  milk  diet  and  rest. 

A  broken  or  ruptured  valve  may  not  be  re- 
stored by  the  milk  diet,  or 'any  other  treat- 
ment, but  it  can  be  compensated  for,  so  that 
the  possessor  may  live  in  comparative  com- 
fort. Almost  any  other  form  of  heart  dis- 
ease can  be  successfully  treated  by  means  of 
the  milk  diet.  The  simplest  case  of  all  is  the 
weak  heart  of  an  anemic  person.  Such  people, 
with  poor  circulation,  white,  pasty  looking 
skin,  usually  underweight,  but  sometimes  fat 
and  flabby;  weak  and  languid,  disinclined  to 
exertion  and  easily  tired,  with  typical  heart 
sounds —  the  "anemic  murmur,"  and  a  small, 


128  MILK   DIET. 

undeveloped  heart,  can  obtain  perfect  health 
on  milk  and  rest.  I  have  seen  some  of  them 
lose  the  murmur  in  two  or  three  days,  fol- 
lowed by  a  steady  growth  of  the  heart  in 
size  and  strength,  with  a  corresponding  im- 
provement in  the  general  health. 

Every  doctor  sees  young  people  with  the 
disease,  or  condition,  rather,  called  chlorosis, 
or  "the  green  sickness,"  which  is  often  bene- 
fited by  the  administration  of  iron,  because 
the  blood  of  such  people  lacks  the  necessary 
amount  of  iron.  Milk  always  contains  iron, 
and  a  short  course  of  the  milk  diet  always 
cures  chlorosis,  and  puts  the  general  system 
in  good  order,  a  fact  which  is  not  always  the 
case  after  the  administration  of  medicine. 

Some  of  the  more  severe  forms  of  heart 
disease  are  complicated  by  dropsy  of  the  feet 
and  ankles,  and  other  parts.  Although  per- 
haps of  months'  standing,  this  dropsy  always 
disappears  in  a  few  days  on  the  milk  and 
rest.  Rest  alone  often  relieves  these  cases,  but 
rest  without  milk  will  not  cure  them. 

Regarding  dropsy,  of  any  part  of  the  body, 
from  whatever  cause,  I  have  never  heard  of 
a  failure  of  this  treatment  to  cure  it. 

Any    form    of    valvular    diseas-e    may    be 


VARIOUS    DISEASES.  129 

treated  by  the  milk  diet,  witb  the  greatest 
possible  advantage,  but  in  these  cases,  more 
than  in  any  others  that  we  are  called  on  to 
treat,  rest,  COMPLETE,  ABSOLUTE 
REST,  is  essential. 

Two  cases  of  valvular  disease  of  the  heart 
have  lost  several  pounds  weight  in  the  first 
few  days  on  a  full  milk  diet,  but  afterwards 
gained  satisfactorily.  I  mention  this  fact 
(which  I  cannot  explain)  because  it  is  very 
rare  for  any  patients  (except  those  having 
obesity)  to  lose  weight  while  on  the  milk. 

I  have  stated  elsewhere  that  the  heart  in- 
creases in  size,  and  this  is  true  of  every  case, 
except  the  dilated  weak  heart.  It  is  not  dif- 
ficult to  prove  this,  as  any  patient  with  a 
weak  heart  can  observe  the  apex  beat  of  the 
heart  move  downward  and  to  the  right  as  the 
cure  goes  on.  Growth  of  the  heart  follows 
ihe  law  governing  all  muscles,  that,  if  the 
nutrition  is  kept  up,  increased  work  is  fol- 
lowed by  increased  size.  The  very  first  work 
that  the  blood  made  on  a  milk  diet  has  to 
perform  is  to  nourish  the  heart  itself,  for  the 
first  arteries  leading  from  the  aorta,  or  main 
artery  of  the  heart,  are  the  coronary  arteries, 
which  turn  back  into  the  heart  muscle  to 
supply  it  with  blood. 


130  MILK    DIET. 

Right  here  I  wish  to  speak  of  a  very  com- 
mon, but  serious,  disorder,  the  treatment  of 
which  by  the  milk  diet  is  so  successful  that 
the  fact  should  be  universally  known.  I  re- 
fer to  hardening  of  the  arteries,  or  ARTER- 
IO-CLEROSIS,  sometimes  spoken  of  as  a 
physiological  process. 

"A  man  is  only  as  old  as  his  arteries," 
refers  to  the  fact  that,  while  hard  arteries  are 
a  frequent  accompaniment  of  old  age,  they 
may  also  be  present  in  a  young,  or  middle- 
aged  man,  who  has  lived  improperly. 

Hardening  of  the  arteries  is  perhaps  the 
first  apparent  change  in  the  blood  vessels 
that  indicates  beginning  degeneration.  It  is 
included  by  medical  writers  in  the  descrip- 
tions of  degenerations,  and,  while  it  is  ad- 
mitted that  the  condition  may  continue  for 
years  before  it  becomes  dangerous,  it  is  gen- 
erally considered  the  beginning  of  the  end. 
It  is  surprising  to  see  how  little  hope  is  held 
out  to  persons  afflicted  with  this  disease,  by 
writers  on  the  subject,  who  seem  to  take  it  for 
granted  that  there  is  no  cure,  nothing  to  do 
but  to  make  them  as  comfortable  as  possible, 
"enjoin  them  to  lead  a  quiet,  well-regulated 
life,  avoiding  excesses  in  food  and  drink."  "It 


VARIOUS    DISEASES.  131 

is  usually  best  to  frankly  explain  the  condi- 
tions of  affairs,"  etc. 

After  a  certain  time,  the  duration  of  which 
varies  in  different  cases,  the  inner  lining  of 
these  hardened  arteries  softens,  ulcerates,  and 
breaks  down,  resulting  in  aneurism,  embolism, 
paralysis,  and  apoplexy. 

I  believe  that  almost  every  case  of  this  dis- 
order can  be  cured,  if  treatment  is  used  before* 
the  ulcerative  stage  begins.  One  old  gentle- 
man whose  pulse  felt  like  a  wire,  took  the 
milk  diet  treatment  three  years  ago,  and  in 
less  than  four  weeks  his  arteries  were  soft, 
and  the  neuralgia  of  the  heart,  from  which  he 
suffered  intensely,  disappeared.  Neither  the 
sclerosis  nor  the  heart  trouble  has  ever  re- 
turned since  that  time. 

One  disease  that  is  difficult  to  treat  with  a 
milk  diet  is  chronic  inflammation  of  the  blad- 
der, especially  the  tubercular  form.  This  is 
usually  considered  incurable,  and  I  know- 
nothing  better  for  it  than  this  treatment,  but 
these  old,  inflamed  bladders  with  thickened 
walls  and  degenerated  linings,  have  a  very 
small  capacity,  so  that  even  on  ordinary  diets 
urination  must  be  performed  very  often.  With 
the  amount  of  urine  increased  three  or  four 


132  MILK    DIET. 

times,  and  the  diseased  organ  showing  no  im- 
mediate improvement,  it  requires  considerable 
faith,  or  persistence,  on  the  part  of  the  patient 
to  carry  on  the  treatment:  The  rubber  urinals 
sold  by  druggists  are  of  material  assistance, 
and  as  the  urine  becomes  "soft  and  unirritat- 
ing,  the  bladder  can  hold  more  of  it  than  while 
the  person  is  on  an  ordinary  diet.  Indeed,  it 
is  a  great  relief  to  these  people  to  have  the 
urine  change  from  the  fetid,  irritating,  am- 
moniacal,  decomposing  stuff  to  the  almost 
colorless  and  odorless  water  characteristic  of 
the  milk  diet. 

The  milk  diet  has  proved  invaluable  to 
many  young  women  with  painful  menstrua- 
tion, misplaced,  or  undeveloped  wombs,  and 
other  disorders  peculiar  to  the  sex.  Fibroid 
tumors  of  the  uterus  have  been  known  to  dis- 
appear under  this  treatment,  and  many  other 
conditions,  apparently  only  suitable  for  opera- 
tions, have  been  remedied.  There  is  a  great 
development  of  the  pelvic  organs,  while  rest- 
ing and  taking  the  milk  diet. 

Usually  the  best  time  to  start  in  with  the 
milk  is  right  after  a  menstrual  period.  The 
next  period  may  be,  and  often  is,  irregular  as 
to  time,  but  if  three  weeks  elapse  before  it 


VARIOUS    DISEASES.  133 

comes  on,  it  is  almost  always  the  case  that 
UK-  pain  will  be  greater  than  usual,  and  some 
patients  are  inclined  to  stop  the  milk  to  get  re- 
lief. The  pain  is  due  to  the  unusual  amount 
of  blood,  in  excess  of  the  ordinary  congestion 
at  this  period.  If  a  woman  can  stand  the  pain, 
and  keep  the  milk  going,  greatly  improved 
conditions  will  be  noticed  at  the  next  menstru- 
ation. 

The  relief  experienced  by  these  cases  is 
similar  to  that  occurring  after  a  normal  child- 
birth, when,  as  most  married  women  are 
aware,  menstruation  almost  always  "ceases  to 
be  painful. 

There  is,  perhaps,  no  part  of  the  body  that 
receives  greater  and  more  uniform  improve- 
ment in  this  treatment  than  the  generative  or- 
gans. Milk  is  the  best  nerve  food  that  we 
possess,  and  the  connection  between  the  ner 
vons  system  and  the  sexual  organs  is  a  very 
close  one.  The  improvements  in  the  two  go 
on  coincidentally. 

An  exclusive  milk  diet  has  been  in  use  for 
patients  with  diabetes  mellitus  since  1863, 
when  ii  was  introduced  by  Donkin.  Pro-f. 
Tyson  tells  of  one  case  taking  fourteen  pints 
daily.  He  regards  the  diet  as  the  most  impor- 


134  MILK    DIET. 

tant  part  of  the  treatment  of  this  ordinarily 
fatal  disease,  and  is  confident  that  the  exclu- 
sive milk  diet  is  the  most  effectual  way  of 
treating  it 

I  should  feel  certain  of  good  results  from 
the  milk  diet  treatment  in  diabetes,  but  I  re- 
gret that  I  have  no  cases  to  report,  never  hav- 
ing succeeded  in  getting  a  suitable  one  for  a 
trial. 

Since  the  above  was  written  seveal  diabet- 
ics have  attempted  to  take  the  milk  diet,  but 
none  have  carried  it  on  more  than  a  week. 
They  all  lost  weight,  but  two  gentlemen 
seemed  benefited  by  the  short  course.  I  still 
believe  the  treatment  would  cure  suitable 
cases,  not  too  far  advanced. 

I  receive  numerous  inquiries  regarding 
cancer,  but  I  can  only  repeat  what  I  have  just 
said  about  diabetes,  as  I  have  the  same  lack  of 
experience  with  true  cancer. 


CHAPTER  X. 
PSYCHOLOGY  OF  THE  MILK  CURE. 

I  am  glad  to  say  there  is  no  "suggestion," 
or  faith  cure  about  the  milk  diet  treatment. 
You  put  something  in,  and  you  get  something 
in  return  for  it  every  time.  I  have  had  pa- 
tients who  fook  the  treatment  because  friends 
urged  them  to,  but  without  the  least  faith  in  it, 
except  that  they  thought  "milk  wouldn't  hurt 
them,"  and  these  people  have  made  as  good  a 
cure  as  others  who  had  perfect  confidence  in 
the  method. 

All  my  patients  will  bear  me  out  in  the 
statement  that  no  -psychological  influence  has 
been  exerted.  The  milk  diet  treatment  is  a 
simple  thing,  and  within  any  person's  reach. 
It  is  not  necessary  to  have  grand  buildings, 
expensively  furnished  apartments,  showy 
balhroom.s,  glittering  apparatus,  or  compli- 
cated appliances  of  any  kind.  What  is  needed 
is  a  quiet,  cool  and  airy  place,  with  a  comfort- 
able bed  and  the  necessary  toilet  utensils.  A 


136  MILK    DIET. 

vase  of  fragrant  flowers  is  always  acceptable, 
but  showy  ornaments  or  pictures,  or  lace  cur- 
tains, are  out  of  place. 

Nor  is  it  necessary  to  have  frequent  exam- 
inations of  the  body,  of  the  urine,  the  blood, 
or  the  secretions  of  the  stomach,  etc.  After  a 
long  sanitarium  experience,  and  listening  to 
the  histories  of  many  people  who  had  been 
the  rounds  of  the  various  institutions,  I  am 
firmly  of  the  opinion  that  these  "examina- 
tions," as  usually  conducted,  are  mainly  bene- 
ficial to  the  staff  of  young  doctors  who  get  the 
fees,  and  incidentally,  some  experience.  Of 
what  possible  use  is  it  for  the  patient  to 
learn  one  week  that  he  has  "hypoacidity," 
and  the  next  week  that  he  has  "hyperacidity," 
if  his  dyspepsia  is  not  relieved? 

Such  things  may  have  their  use  in  sanitar- 
iums conducted  with  the  idea  of  having  the 
patient  stay  as  long  as  their  money  holds  out, 
but  they  are  not  needed  in  a  place  where  the 
treatment  does  what  it  is  claimed  .to  do,  and 
patients  are  steadily  improving. 

The  average  person  will  get  better  results 
in  a  well  conducted  sanitarium  than  he  will  at 
home,  not  especially  on  account  of  more  skill- 


PSYCHOLOGY   OF  THE   MILK   CURE.  137 

ful  treatment,  but  from  causes  that  are  well 
understood  by  all  physicians; 

The  change  of  air  and  scene,  the  makirfg 
a  regular  business  of  the  "cure,"  the  re- 
lief from  home  cares  and  worries,  the  getting 
away  from  the  well-meant  but  often  harmful 
solicitations  of  anxious  relatives  and  friends, 
often  the  exchange  of  a  stuffy,  over-furnished, 
over-curtained,  badly  ventilated  bedroom  for 
a  more  healthful  one,  all  these,  and  many 
other  details,  frequently  assist  in  getting  an 
invalid  started  on  the  upgrade.  But  more 
than  all  other  things  combined  is  the  wonder- 
ful influence  of  the  new  blood  made  so  freely 
on  the  milk.  Rest  and  quiet,  daily  warm 
baths,  and  plenty  of  fresh,  pure  air  are  neces- 
sary to  most  people  in  order  that  they  may 
take  and  assimilate  the  proper  amo.unt  of  milk, 
and  eliminate  the  waste  products. 

It  is  not  necessary  to  have  a  daily  "Health 
lecture,"  during  this  treatment,  but  fre- 
quently, at  the  start,  a  little  encouragement  is 
helpful  to  keep  the  milk  going  down,  because 
the  senses  of  hunger  and  thirst  do  not  cry  for 
it,  and  it  is  easy  to  stop  drinking  for  a  while. 

The  best  "cures,"  in  my  experience,  have 
been  the  patients  who  started  in  with  the  full 


138  MILK    DIET. 

amount  of  milk,  and  took  it  continuously, 
without  interruption  other  than  during  the 
sleeping  hours.  They  did  not  stop  because 
their  stomachs  seemed  full  or  for  a  bad  taste 
in  their  mouth.  Some  of  them  have  disregard- 
ed nausea  and  even  vomiting  during  the  first 
days  of  their  treatment.  Others  have  suffered 
headaches  and  backaches,  and,  later  on,  the 
dull,  stretching  pain  in  the  stomach,  kidneys 
and  liver,  which  may  accompany  the  rapid 
growth  of  those  organs.  Very  many  have  had 
returns  of  the  old  pains  of  rheumatism,  neu- 
ralgia, earache,  toothache,  pleurisy,  peritonitis 
and  inflammatory  conditions  of  the  generative 
organs,  which  they  may  have  had  years  be- 
fore. These  pains  usually  last  about  a  day, 
but  in  chronic  cases  of  long  standing,  where 
there  has  been  considerable  growth  of  in- 
flammatory tissue,  and  adhesions,  as  between 
the  serous  surfaces  of  the  peritoneum  and 
various  organs  of  the  abdomen  and  pelvis,  the 
duration  of  the  pain  is  somewhat  in  propor- 
tion to  the  length  and  seriousness  of  the  dis- 
ease. 

The  pain  is  never  as  severe  as  it  was  in 
the  original  disease,  except  perhaps  in  some 
women  at  the  menstrual  period,  and  the  pain 


PSYCHOLOGY   OF  THE   MILK   CURE.  139 

may  be  stopped  by  stopping  the  milk,  and 
thereby  taking  off  some  of  the  blood  pressure, 
but  that  is  usually  the  wrong  thing  to  do,  for 
it  is  the  pressure  of  the  excess  of  blood  that 
works  the  cure. 

I  do  not  ask  the  impossible  of  any  person, 
but  I  tell  those  who  are  inclined  to  stop  the 
milk  tliat  the  pain  is  only  a  necessary  reaction 
in  the  diseased  part;  that  pain  means  a  growth 
of  new  capillary  bloodvessels  in  a  place  where 
the  circulation  had  been  stagnant,  that  the 
part,  or  organ  is  growing  larger,  getting 
straightened  out,  coming  back  to  the  place 
where  it  belongs,  stretching  its  fibrous  and 
sensitive  covering,  (as  in  the  liver  and  kid- 
neys) pulling  on  the  contracted  ligaments,  or 
abnormal  fibrous  bands  which  have  bound  it 
down  and  interfered  with  its  action,  or  stim- 
ulating the  normal  movement  where  it  had 
been  paralyzed. 

It  is  easier  to  understand  why  there  should 
be  pain  with  a  curative  process  than  it  is  to 
explain  how  there  ever  can  be  a  cure  without 
pain. 

When  I  have  told  patients  what,  to  the 
best  of  my  knowledge  and  experience,  is  go- 
ing on,  I  leave  it  to  them  to  decide  whether 


140  MILK    DIET. 

they  can  stand  the  pain,  or  discomfort,  with 
the  expectation  of  a  complete  cure,  or  whether 
they  will  have  to  stop  the  milk  temporarily, 
and  perhaps  stop  the  curative  process  when  it 
is  at  its  height. 

I  encourage  them  by  stating  the  fact, 
which  I  cannot  emphasize  too  strongly,  and 
which  everyone  should  remember,  that,  in  27 
years'  experience  with  this  treatment,  on  all 
classes  of  patients,  suffering  from  heart  dis- 
ease, brain  and  nerve  disorders,  blood  clots, 
paralysis,  inflammation  of  the  bowels,  ulcera- 
tive  and  hemorrhagic  processes  in  various 
parts  of  the  body,  chronic  specific  disease,  or 
chronic  poisoning  due  to  lead,  mercury,  ar- 
senic, or  any  medicine,  I  have  NEVER 
HEARD  OF  ANY  INJURY,  OR  BAD  RE- 
SULTS, from  pushing  the  milk  diet  TO  THE 
UTMOST  CAPACITY  OF  THE  PA- 
TIENT. 

The  one  possible  exception  to  this  rule  is 
the  case  of  a  man  who  had  a  blood  tumor,  or 
aneurism,  resulting  from  a  recent  gunshot 
wound,  which  burst  'from  the  pressure  gen- 
erated by  a  milk  diet,  with  fatal  results. 

I  do  not  know  whether  the  man  was  rest- 
ing, or  how  much  milk  he  was  taking,  or  any 


PSYCHOLOGY   OF  THE   MILK   CURE.  141 

other  particulars,  but  I  would  advise  against 
giving  the  full  milk  diet  to  any  patient  who 
had  recently  been  operated  on,  or  who  had  a 
ruptured  artery  from  any  cause,  except  chron- 
ic disease.  I  am  not  afraid  to  give  the  milk 
diet  in  any  case  of  diseased  bloodvessels,  or  in 
aneurism  caused  by  disease,  for  I  believe  the 
blood  carries  its  own  cure  for  these  conditions, 
and  the  more  of  it  the  better,  but  COM- 
PLETE REST  MUST  GO  WITH  IT. 

It  is  not  possible  in  this  little  book  to  fol- 
low each  case  to  the  end.  There  is  an  infinite 
variety.  If  you  have  learned  the  great  natural 
principles  upon  which  the  treatment  is  based 
and  follow  the  directions  I  have  given,  you 
will  be  ready  for  any  condition  which  may 
arise. 

Don't  leave  out  some  portion  which  you 
think  is  unnecessary,  nor  add  something  to  it 
which  has  helped  you  under  other  circum- 
stances. Try  my  way  first. 


CHAPTER   XL 
REST. 

There  are  a  number  of  reasons  why  com- 
plete rest  must  be  had,  at  least  during  the  first 
part  of  this  treatment.  One  very  practical 
reason  is  the  fact  that  many  weak  stomachs 
cannot  retain  the  milk  unless  the  body  is  ly- 
ing quietly  and  therefore  more  or  less  relaxed. 
A  stomach  that  has  long  been  making  an  in- 
sufficient supply  of  blood  is  in  a  rut,  and  is 
disinclined  to  take  more  food,  and  thereby  be 
compelled  to  make  more  blood.  Practical  ex- 
perience has  shown  that  if  the  body,  (and 
stomach)  is  kept  as  motionless  as  possible,  the 
necessary  amount  of  milk  is  much  easier  re- 
tained in  the  stomach  and  digested. 

The  same  principle  holds  good  on  a  sea 
voyage.  All  old  travellers  know  that  lying 
down  at  full  length  in  the  berth  until  used  to 
the  motion  of  the  vessel  often  prevents  sea- 
sickness. 

Another  reason  is  that  naturally,  in  all  an- 


REST.  143 

imals,  digestion  and  assimilation  go  on  better 
while  the  animal  is  at  rest,  or  asleep. 

But  the  most  important  reason  for  resting 
while  taking  the  milk  diet  may  be  explained  as 
follows:  The  treatment  is  taken  to  correct 
some  function,  or  to  develop  some  part  of  the 
body;  something  is  wrong,  or  lacking,  or  needs 
rebuilding.  In  short,  growth  is  necessary, 
and  growth  is  always  a  function  of  rest.  We 
may,  by  exercise,  build  up  big  muscles,  but  the 
growth  even  of  muscles,  is  performed  between 
the  periods  of  activity,  for  work  always  uses 
up  energy  and  wears  out  cells.  Continuous 
work,  without  relaxation,  would  be  impossible 
for  muscles  or  other  tissues.  The  intervals  of 
rest  between  the  periods  of  work  enable  the 
blood  to  flow  freely  into  the  part  and  carry  the 
needed  nourishment  to  replenish  the  cells  ex- 
hausted by  the  previous  energy.  Work  may 
be  the  stimulant  which  causes  subsequent 
growth,  but  in  itself  work  is  exhausting,  de- 
structive. Recovery  and  recuperation  can 
only  occur  during  relaxation;  we  grow  while 
resting. 

The  body  requires  its  night's  rest  after  its 
day's  work,  and  for  the  same  reason  a  body 
weakened  by  a  long  period  of  strain,  misuse, 


144  MILK    DIET. 

illness,  must  have  a  period  of  rest,  in  some 
measure  proportionate  to  the  period  of  wear. 
If,  during  this  period  of  rest,  there  is  an  in- 
creased supply  of  nutrition  and  blood,  we  have 
the  ideal  conditions  for  rapid  repair.  With 
the  wear  and  tear  and  waste  of  the  muscular 
system  stopped,  the  nervous  energy  which 
usually  directs  it  is  saved,  or  diverted  to  more 
useful  purposes.  The  voluntary  muscles  are 
useful  as  organs  of  locomotion,  prehension, 
etc.,  but  they  are  not  vital  organs.  Men  have 
lived-  minus  all  four  limbs. 

In  chronic  illness  it  is  the  vital  organs  that 
we  have  to  deal  with,  those  concerned  with  di- 
gestion, nutrition,  respiration,  circulation,  in- 
nervation,  and  depuration.  By  putting  at 
complete  rest  as  many  of  the  muscles  as  may 
be  possible,  we  save  a  large  amount  of  nour- 
ishment and  nerve  force  that  would  otherwise 
be  expended  without  any  useful  return. 

Every  unnecessary  drain  must  be  stopped 
to  allow  the  vital  organs  to  rebuild  and  restore 
themselves.  The  more  complete  the  inactivity 
of  the  external  muscles,  the  brain  and  nervous 
system,  the  sexual  organs,  the  better  the  pros- 
pect of  restoring  the  normal  function  of  the 


REST.  145 

other  organs  provided  plenty  of  blood  is  sup- 
plied. 

I  deem  it  an  unfortunate,  but  unavoidable 
feature  of  the  treatment  that  the  organs  of 
generation  almost  immediately  share  in  the 
general  improvement,  because  it  is  undesir- 
able, at  this  time,  to  spare  any  of  the  blood 
from  the  important  work  of  reconstructing 
the  digestive  apparatus,  and  the  lungs,  (if 
there  is  a  pulmonary  disease,)  and  there  are 
too  many  men  who  cannot  restrain  themselves. 

Some  people  are  unhappy  with  a  few  dol- 
lars in  their  pockets  and  won't  be  satisfied  un- 
til it  is  spent,  instead  of  putting  it  in  the  bank 
and  accumulating  a  good  working  surplus. 
I  hope  this  simile  will  be  understood  and  ap- 
preciated by  married  folks,  and  others. 

The  success  of  the  Weir  Mitchell  treat- 
ment is  largely  due  to  the  complete  rest  pre- 
scribed for  severe  cases.  For  weeks  these  pa- 
tients are  not  permitted  to  sit  up,  or  sew,  or 
write,  or  read.  They  are  even  fed  by  a  nurse, 
and  talking  is  prohibited. 

Complete  rest  on  an  ordinary  diet  usually 
means  that  massage  will  be  required  to  move 
the  bowels,  but  on  the  milk  diet  this  is  un- 
necessary. 


146  MILK    DIET. 

My  patients  usually  are  allowed  to  read  if 
there  are  no  headaches,  and  the  stomach  is 
taking  the  milk  without  difficulty.  But  the 
reading  should  not  be  continuous.  Read  for 
ten  minutes  between  drinks,  and  then  lay  the 
book  or  paper  down  for  fifteen  or  twenty  min- 
utes. Reading  helps  to  pass  away  the  time, 
and  satisfies  people  who,  without  it,  would 
want  to  be  doing  something  more  harmful. 
But  read  as  little  as  possible,  and  never  by 
artificial  light. 

Talking  is  usually  unnecessary  and  seldom 
beneficial. 

Don't  think  because  you  are  lying  abed  for 
weeks  and  keeping  quiet  that  you  will  get 
rusty.  I  never  knew  the  rest  part  of  the  treat- 
ment to  do  any  damage;  most  of  the  patients 
are  inclined  to  get  up  too  soon,  rather  than 
stay  abed  too  long.  But  they  all  store  up  en- 
ergy while  resting  and  the  good  effect  is  ap- 
parent as  soon  as  they  return  to  ordinary  life. 

Many  people  with  tired  nerves  and  poor 
stomachs  cannot  take  a  sufficient  quantity  of 
milk  to  do  much  good  without  being  com- 
pletely relaxed.  But  this  state  of  relaxation 
is  a  hard  one  for  some  people  to  get  into. 
They  don't  want  to  go  to  bed,  and  when  they 


REST.  147 

do,  they  stack  up  pillows  behind  their  backs, 
until  they  are  almost  in  a  sitting  position. 

They  are  losing  half  the  benefits  of  the 
treatment,  and  the  opportunity  of  a  lifetime  to 
take  a  complete  rest.  Isn't  it  worth  while  to 
really  rest  for  a  few  weeks  if  comparative 
comfort  can  thereby  be  secured  for  all  the  re- 
maining years  of  life? 

To  enable  these  folks  to  let  go  a  little,  to 
reduce  the  tension,  the  warm  bath  is  of  great 
use.  In  the  warm  bath  only,  do  some  of  them 
first  learn  to  relax.  It  is  sufficient  for  some 
people,  to  tell  them  to  lie  out  flat  in  bed, 
breathe  deeply  a  few  times,  and  then,  be- 
ginning with  the  head  and  neck,  relax  all  the 
muscles  of  the  body,  so  that  if  the  various 
parts  were  lifted  they  would  fall  like  logs  of 
wood.  When  all  the  muscles  are  relaxed  there 
is  a  pleasant  sensation,  almost  like  floating  in 
the  air.  Sleep  secured  after  getting  in  this 
state  is  far  more  restful  than  where  one  sim- 
ply drops  off  from  fatigue,  with  all  the  weight 
of  the  day's  work  .and  cares  distorting  the 
body. 

But  many  cannot  properly  relax  at  first. 
Here  comes  in  the  benefit  of  the  warm  bath. 
It  is  not  "weakening"  for  these  strained,  nerv- 


148  MILK    DIET. 

ous  cases,  any  more  than  sleep  is,  but  it  docs 
permit  them  to  relax.  Nothing  supports  the 
whole  body  so  gently  and  easily  as  a  good  tub 
bath.  I  notice  the  insane  asylums  have 
grasped  the  idea,  and  many  of  them  are  fitting 
up  bathrooms  where  very  nervous  cases  may 
remain  continuously  in  the  neutral  bath  for 
weeks  at  a  time,  eating  and  sleeping  therein 
until  the  nervous  system  lias  recovered. 

The  relaxing  and  soothing  effect  of  the 
warm  bath  is  due  to  several  causes.  It  is  suf- 
ficient to  mention  here  the  warmth,  which  re- 
lieves the  body  of  its  heat  generating  func- 
tion; the  moistu're,  which  is  absorbed  ex- 
ternally and  inhaled  internally;  the  cleansing 
and  opening  of  the  pores  of  the  skin;  the  soft- 
ening and  removal  of  the  dead  epithelial  scales; 
the  growth  of  new  capillaries;  the  relief  of  pain 
and  soreness  and  the  wonderful  buoyancy 
caused  by  the  equalization  of  the  pressure  on 
the  surface  of  the  body.  No  cabinet,  or  vapor 
bath,  or  electric  light  bath  can  do  what  the 
warm  tub  bath  does  in  combination  with  the 
milk  diet. 

When  the  patient  has  learned  how  to  relax 
the  body,  and  really  rest,  I  have  little  doubt  as 
to  the  final  result  of  the  treatment. 


REST.  149 

To  illustrate  the  great  difference  in  taking 
the  milk  diet,  with  and  without  rest.  I  ob- 
tained permission  to  quote  the  following  case : 

Mr.  Aubrey  Parks  of  Omaha,  Nebraska, 
was  attacked  by  acute  nephritis,  or  B right's 
disease,  about  three  years  ago.  It  ran  on  for 
several  months  and  finally  became  chronic, 
with  a  great  deal  of  dropsy,  in  spite  of  treat- 
ment in  two  hospitals  and  by  several  good 
physicians.  He  finally  went  to  a  sanatorium 
in  Michigan  where  the  treatment  consisted  of 
n  long  fast,  followed  by  an  exclusive  milk  diet, 
a  glass  at  a  time,  at  frequent  intervals,  as  I 
recommend.  But,  instead  of  resting,  he  was 
ordered  -to  exercise  daily,  and  went  to  the 
milk  room  every  half  hour  for  his  milk. 

The  result  was  that  while  his  dropsy  and 
albuminuria  decreased  somewhat  on  the  fast, 
both  increased  markedly  as  soon  as  he  started 
the  milk  diet.  He  was  ordered  to  take  another 
fast  of  about  two  weeks  and  then  again  took 
the  milk  diet,  with  no  better  results  than  be- 
fore. 

Shortly  afterward  he  wrote  me  about  his 
case,  without  informing  me,  however,  that  he 
was  not  resting  while  drinking  milk.  I  re- 
plied that  I  could  not  understand  it,  as  I  had. 


150  MILK    DIET. 

never  had  a  case  of  dropsy  that  was  not  cured 
on  the  milk  diet.  Mr.  Parks  finally  made  the 
long  trip  to  California  to  take  the  treatment  in 
the  manner  I  recommend. 

On  his  arrival  here  September  1st,  1909,  he 
showed  a  condition  of  general  anasarca,  or 
dropsy,  literally  all  over  the  body.  He  could 
not  wear  any  of  his  regular  clothing,  hat,  or 
shoes,  on  account  of  the  swollen,  water-logged 
condition  of  his  skin.  His  weight  was  \&6l/2 
stripped,  although  he  had  been  fasting  several 
days  during  his  journey.  By-  my  direction, 
Mr.  Parks  went  to  bed  and  remained  there 
over  a  month,  except  for  the  time  he  spent 
daily  in  a  warm  water  bath. 

He  took  from  six  to  seven  quarts  of  milk 
in  twenty-four  hours,  and  passed  some  days 
over  ten  quarts  of  urine.  In  fifteen  days  his 
weight  had  gone  down  to  127 — a  loss  of  al- 
most 60  pounds. 

From  that  time  he  slowly  gained  weight, 
up  to  154  pounds  of  solid  flesh,  although  the 
dropsy  did  not  entirely  disappear  for  several 
weeks,  the  ankles  being  the  last  to  become 
normal.  The  albumin  in  the  urine  persisted 
for  nearly  the  two  months  he  was  under  my 
care,  but  finally  disappeared.  Mr.  Parks,  six- 


REST.  151 

teen  months  after  this  treatment,  is  living  in 
Long  Beach  and  is  quite  well. 

No  case  that  I  remember  shows  so  em- 
phatically as  this  one  does,  the  great  benefit  of 
rest  while  on  the  milk  diet. 

Another  case  almost  as  instructive  is  that 
of  Mr.  S. — of  Iowa,  who  being  attacked  by  a 
slight  stroke  of  apoplexy,  went  to  the  same 
sanatorium  in  Michigan  of  which  Mr.  Parks 
had  been  an  inmate.  Mr.  S.  knew  that  his  art 
cries  were  in  a  diseased  condition  and  this 
condition  had  no  doubt  caused  the  ruptured 
artery  in  the  brain. 

He  took  the  usual  fast  for  about  two  weeks 
and  then  started  in  drinking  milk,  exercising 
vigorously  every  day,  according  to  the  system 
in  vogue  there.  In  less  than  forty-eight  hours 
he  suffered  a  second  stroke  which  paralyzed 
his  right  arm  and  affected  his  speech, — a  re- 
sult I  should  have  expected  under  the  circum- 
stances, as  the  fast  could  in  no  way  have 
strengthened  his  blood  vessels  to  withstand 
the  blood  pressure  consequent  to  exercise  on 
a  milk  diet. 

This  man  came  to  me  as  soon  as  he  was 
able  to  travel,  in  January,  1909,  and  after  a 
short  fast  he  went  to  bed  and  took  five  and  a 


152  MILK    DIET. 

half  quarts  of  milk  daily  for  four  weeks.  I 
never  had  the  slightest  fear  of  another  hem- 
orrhage, because  he  was  not  making  any  ex- 
ertion that  could  be  avoided. 

After  four  weeks  of  rest  and  milk  diet,  I 
felt  confident  his  arteries  were  in  condition  to 
stand  exercise  and  gradually  he  began  walk- 
ing and  using  his  arms.  In  less  than  a  week, 
he  could  walk  over  two  miles  at  a  time, 
and  soon  after  returned  to  his  home.  He 
wrote  a  few  months  afterward  that  he  was  re- 
suming his  occupation  as  a  traveling^  sales- 
man, and  felt  well. 


CHAPTER  XII. 
EXERCISE. 

A  course  of  milk  diet  alone  does  not  insure 
a  person  forever  against  future  illness  or  the 
encroachment  of  old  age,  but  it  certainly  tends 
to  do  so  when  combined  with  right  living,  and 
by  right  living  I  mean  correct  eating,  drink 
ini-;.  working,  thinking,  sleeping,  breathing 
rind  exercising.  Of  all  these,  the  last  is  by  no 
means  the  least ;  for  many  people  it  is  the  most 
important  of  all. 

There  are  many  useful  hooks  and  periodi- 
cals devoted  to  exercise  and  physical  culture, 
and  I  advise  all  my  patients  to  keep  up  their 
interest  in  the  subject  by  studying  them,  for 
it  is  easy  to  drop  back  into  the  old  habits 
of  inactivity  and  weakness.  I  cannot  fully 
cover  the  subject  in  this  work  but  there  are 
some  points  that  I  will  speak  of,  not  always 
mentioned  in  exercise  instructions. 

THE  OBJECT  of  all  exercise  should  be 
to  improve  the  circulation  of  the  blood,  in- 


154  MILK    DIET. 

crease  the  breathing  power,  and  develop  or- 
ganic vigor  in  those  vital  parts  of  the  body  on 
which  our  wellbeing  depends. 

Exercise  simply  to  build  up  big  muscles 
and  to  do  imposing  feats  of  strength  is  largely 
a  waste  of  vitality. 

In  exercising  any  muscle,  we  also  exercise 
the  brain  and  nerves,  because  they  control  the 
muscles,  and  when  we  get  tired,  it  is  because 
the  nervous  apparatus  is  tired,  not  the  muscle 
itself. 

When  we  decide  to  make  a  muscular  move- 
ment, the  brain  sends  an  impulse  over  the 
nerve  or  nerves  extending  to  the  special  mus- 
cles involved,  ordering  the  muscles  to  con- 
tract. As  a  muscle  in  contracting  uses  up  a 
certain  amount  of  food  carried  by  the  blood, 
the  artery  supplying  blood  to  the  particular 
set  of  muscles  in  use  becomes  enlarged  or  di- 
lated in  order  that  the  necessary  food  and  ox- 
ygen may  reach  the  part.  This  itself  is  a  mus- 
cular act,  the  little  involuntary  muscles  in  the 
walls  of  the  artery  being  controlled  by  the 
sympathetic  system  of  nerves.  After  the 
muscle  has  been  working,  the  vein  leading 
from  it  to  the  heart  carries  a  larger  volume  of 
blood  containing  the  waste  matter  created  by 


EXERCISE.  155 

the  muscular  effort.  The  brain  itself  requires 
more  blood  when  engaged  in  manipulating  the 
muscles,  just  as  it  does  when  engaged  in  any 
purely  mental  process,  for  tissue  cells  in  any 
part  of  the  body  cannot  be  active  without  nec- 
essitating a  supply  of  blood  in  excess  of  the 
amount  ordinarily  sufficient  to  nourish  the 
part. 

So  in  muscular  exercise  there  must  be  also 
nervous  exercise.  Just  as  the  muscle  grows 
larger,  stronger,  and  firmer  by  exercise,  so  the 
brain  and  nerve  cells  become  more  efficient  in 
the  way  of  rapidity,  acuteness,  and  precision 
'in  the  execution  of  the  movements.  And  mus- 
cular effort,  by  throwing  into  activity  a  dif- 
ferent portion  of  the  cerebrum,  and  causing  a 
greater  flow  of  blood  in  perhaps  little  used 
channels,  may  relieve  conditions  like  worry, 
anxiety,  insomnia,  nervous  exhaustion,  and 
even  pain. 

The  most  important  effect  of  muscular  ex- 
ercise is  to  increase  the  number  and  depth  of 
respirations,  and  thereby  the  quantity  of  air 
passing  in  and  out  of  the  lungs,  leading  to  an 
increased  absorption  of  oxygen,  and  elimina- 
tion of  carbonic  acid.  It  is  estimated  that  a 
man  at  rest  draws  in  480  cubic  inches  of  air 


156  MILK   DIET. 

per  minute;  if  he  walks  four  miles  an  hour,  he 
draws  fn  five  times  as  much,  or  2400  cubic 
inches;  if  he  walks  six  miles  an  hour,  he  draws 
in  seven  times  as  much,  or  3360  inches. 

The  effect  of  exercise  on  the  skin  is  to  di- 
late the  cutaneous  blood  vessels,  and  increase 
the  amount  of  perspiration,  thereby  allowing 
more  water,  salts,  and  acids  to  pass  from  the 
system.  The  evaporation  reduces  the  tem- 
perature of  the  body,  which  would  tend  to 
rise. 

Exercise  increases  the  appetite,  doubtless 
as  the  result  of  wear  and  tear  of  the  muscles 
and  other  organs.  Digestion  is  more  perfectly 
performed,  and  the  circulation  through  the 
liver  and  portal  system  is  quickened.  There 
are  many  different  systems  of  exercise  and 
probably  they  all  have  good  points,  but  what- 
ever system  is  used,  especially  where  no  ap- 
paratus is  required,  it  must  be  kept  in  -mind 
that  to  be  of  any  benefit  real  exercise  must  be 
taken.  That  is,  the  muscles  must  be  firmly 
contracted,  and  the  brain  kept  occupied  with 
the  matter  in  hand.  It  will  be  of  little  use  to 
flop  the  hands  back  and  forth  in  a  languid 
manner,  while  the  eyes  are  gazing  out  of  the 


EXERCISE.  157 

window,  and  the  brain  making  plans  for  the 
day's  work,  or  something  else. 

Throw  energy  and  concentration  into  the 
movements ;  they  need  not  necessarily  be 
made  rapidly,  although  rapidity  is  a  factor  in 
some  exercises,  but  contract  the  muscles  to 
the  utmost  limit.  The  alternate  contraction 
and  relaxation  of  the  muscles  is  what  drives 
the  old  bload  out  and  pulls  in  new,  and  the 
greater  the  concentration  the  more  efficient 
the  movement.  Make  the  limb  or  portion  of 
the  body  being  exercised  as  rigid  as  possible. 
In  the  arm  movements,  especially  the  over- 
head ones  (and  these  are  particularly  useful 
because  bringing  into  play  muscles  that  are 
otherwise  little  used)  leave  the  hands  open  so 
that  the  muscles  of  the  forearm  will  not  be 
much  affected.  These  movements  should  be 
concentrated  in  the  upper  arm,  shoulder,  neck, 
chest  and  upper  back.  Taken  in  this  manner, 
they  are  of  the  utmost  benefit  to  the  chest, 
neck  and  spine.  A  few  moments'  exercise  of 
I  he  arms,  in  this  manner  stimulates  the  cir- 
culation in  the  great  blood  vessels  in  the  neck, 
and  along  the  spinal  column  into  the  brain, 
and  particularly  brings  into  activity  the  great 
nerve  centers  which  lie  along  this  tract. 


158  MILK    DIET. 

After  patients  have  finished  the  resting 
part  of  the  treatment,  they  dress  and  sit  up  an 
hour  or  two  the  first  day.  This  is  usually 
enough  where  patients  have  heen  in  bed  sev- 
eral weeks,  because  the  muscles,  although  big 
and  firm,  are  unused  to  exercise,  and  they  tire 
easily  the  first  day. 

As  soon  as  patients  begin  to  be  up  and 
around,  the  length  of  the  bath  is  decreased  a 
little  every  day,  until  only  a  short,  10  or  15 
minute,  bath  is  taken.  Instead  of  finishing  up 
with  the  water  quite  warm,  no  more  hot  water 
is  added,  and,  when  the  short  bath  is  reached, 
a  cold  sponge  bath,  or  shower,  can  be  used 
after  the  warm  bath. 

The  second  day  the  patient  is  up,  a  short 
walk  can  be  taken,  and  every  day  afterward 
the  exercises  are  increased,  and  the  time  in 
bed  decreased,  until  only  the  necessary  time 
for  sleeping  is  spent  in  bed. 

Two  or  three  days  after  stopping  the  com- 
plete rest,  start  in  on  the  following  exercises 
and  take  them  every  morning  and  night. 
They  should  be  done  standing  in  front  of  a 
mirror,  with  very  little  or  no  clothing  on. 
The  exercises  are  simple,  and  few  in  number, 
so  as  to  be  easily  remembered,  and  not  take 


EXERCISE.  159 

too  long  in  execution.  It  is  better  to  do  a  few 
exercises  twice  a  day  regularly  at  home  ,than 
to  go  to  a  gymnasium  two  or  three  times  a 
week  and  work  hard  for  an  hour  or  two. 

All  these  exercises  can  be  made  as  hard  as 
-desired  by  simply  increasing  the  tension,  or 
rigidity  of  the  muscles. 

EXERCISE  NO.  1.— Stand  upright  be- 
fore^the  mirror,  arms  down,  palms  facing  for- 
ward. Breathe  deeply  and  regularly.  Make 
the  muscles  of  arms  and  shoulders  as  rigid  as 
possible.  Flex  the  arms  at  the  elbows  alter- 
nately and  bring  the  hand  up  in  front  of 
shoulder.  As  one  hand  comes  up  the  other 
goes  down.  After  doing  each  up  and  down 
movement  relax  completely  all  the  muscles  of 
that  side.  Do  the  movements  slowly,  starting 
with  five  for  each  arm  and  increasing  one  a 
day  until  ten  is  reached. 

EXERCISE  NO.  2.— Stand  upright,  arms 
extended  sideways  as  far  out  as  possible, 
palms  up.  Make  as  rigid  as  possible  all  the 
muscles  of  arms,  shoulders  and  neck.  Bend 
both  arms  at  the  elbows,  until  hands  are  near 
face,  then  extend  to  starting  position  and  re- 
lax. Do  this  the  same  number  of  times  as  Ex. 
No.  1. 


160  MILK    DIET. 

EXERCISE  NO.  3.— Stand  upright,  arms 
extended  sideways  as  far  as  possible,  palms 
facing  forward.  Make  rigid  muscles  of  arms, 
shoulders,  back  and  neck.  Bring  hands  for- 
ward until  almost  touching  in  front  of  face, 
and  while  doing  so  exhale,  or  empty  the  lungs 
as  completely  as  possible.  Then  return  hands 
to  starting  position  slowly,  inhaling  as  you  do 
so  until  lungs  are  completely  filled.  Then  re- 
lax. Always  inhale  through  nose  with  mouth 
closed.  Repeat  same  number  of  times  as  Ex. 
No.  1. 

EXERCISE  NO.  4.— Stand  upright,  arms 
at  sides,  palms  inward.  Make  rigid  muscles 
of  arms,  shoulders,  back,  sides  and  abdomen. 
Bend  body  at  waist  line  sideways  to  left  side 
as  far  as  possible.  At  the  same  time  bend 
right  elbow  and  bring  hand  up  into  armpit, 
closing  fingers.  Relax  momentarily  and 
straighten  up.  Repeat  to  other  side.  To  be 
done  five  times. 

EXERCISE  NO.  5.— Stand  upright,  arms 
extended  sideways,  palms  up.  Make  arms 
and  neck  as  rigid  as  possible,  and  raise  hands 
straight  over  head,  without  bending  elbows. 
Return  to  starting  position  and  relax.  Repeat 
same  number  of  times  as  Ex.  No.  1. 


EXERCISE.  161 

EXERCISE  NO.  6.— Stand  upright  and 
raise  arms  sideways  until  hands  are  above 
head.  Then  bend  over  forward  until  finger 
tips  touch  floor  as  far  as  possible  from  feet. 
Gradually  straighten  up,  raising  hands  with 
palms  facing  toward  body.  As  you  assume 
perpendicular,  rotate  hands  outward  until 
palms  are  facing  forward. 

This  like  No.  3,  should  be  made  a  breath- 
ing exercise,  exhaling  as  the  body  is  bent  for- 
ward, beginning  to  inhale  as  body  comes  up, 
and  expanding  chest  as  much  as  possible  at 
the  moment  you  rotate  hands  out.  When  the 
expansion  is  as  complete  as  possible,  hold  the 
breath  as  you  raise  arms  sideways  as  far  as 
possible,  and  commence  exhaling  as  body 
bends  over,  etc.  To  be  done  slowly  five  times, 
allowing  8  to  10  seconds  to  each  complete 
movement. 

I  have  given  principally  arm  exercises, 'be- 
cause it  is  the  upper  part  of  the  body  that 
stands  in  greatest  need  of  development,  and 
these  movements  markedly  help  the  breath- 
ing, and  also  are  beneficial  to  the  brain,  and 
nervous  system  in  general. 

The  body  bending  exercises  are  particular- 
ly useful  in  constipation,  but  should  be  done 


162  MILK   DIET. 

by  everyone.  All  these  movements  assist  in 
maintaining  the  poise  of  the  body,  and  tend  to 
gracefulness  and  agility  in  men  or  women ;  old 
or  young. 

The  man  of  45  would  be  in  greater  demand 
by  employers  if  he  would  keep  up  his  strength 
and  quickness,  and  brush  the  cobwebs  out  of 
his  brain  by  vigorous  daily  exercise.  He  who 
is  slow  of  speech  and  movement  and  unwilling 
or  unable  to  stand  an  occasional  "rush"  in  his 
work,  will  likely  be  superseded  by  a  more 
alert  and  active  employee. 

Age  is  no  drawback,  but  inefficiency  is. 

For  the  lower  limbs,  walking  is  good  exer- 
cise, when  properly  done,  with  the  head  up, 
the  chest  expanded,  and  the  limbs  swung  vig- 
orously and  not  dragged  along.  Running  is 
still  better  and  helps  immensely  to  improve 
the  lung  capacity.  If  outdoor  running  can- 
not be  practiced,  a  good  substitute  may  be 
found  in  the  room  by  dressing  in  a  light  cos- 
tume, or  none  at  all,  and  going  through  the 
motions  of  running,  but  dropping  the  feet  in 
the  same  place  all  the  time.  Rope  skipping  is 
another  strenuous  exercise  that  can  be  prac- 
ticed in  a  room. 

Handball  is  excellent,  but  if  you  have  no 


EXERCISE.  163 

court  get  a  light,  hollow  rubber  ball  which 
you  can  throw  up  in  the  corner  of  your  room, 
near  the  ceiling.  It  is  perfectly  noiseless, 
often  a  valuable  consideration,  and  the  return 
direction  is  so  variable  that  it  keeps  every 
muscle  on  the  jump  to  catch  it. 

Every  year  I  am  more  convinced  of  the 
benefits  of  exercise  after  taking  the  milk  diet 
treatment.  The  patients  who  remain  in  the 
best  condition  are  those  who  systematically 
exercise.  , 

A  simple  test  that  can  be  made  by  any  one 
is  to  perform,  night  and  morning,  the  tensing 
exercises  as  given  in  this  book  for,  say,  ten 
days,  noting  carefully  the  general  condition 
every  day,  as  to  strength,  activity,  appetite, 
bowel  movements,  mental  condition,  etc.,  and 
then  stop  them  entirely. 

After  another  ten  days,  resume  the  exer- 
cises, and  I  am  sure,  on  comparing  your  con- 
dition, with  and  without  exercise,  that  you 
will  decide  in  favor  of  keeping  up  the  exer- 
cises. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 
AFTER  TREATMENT. 

Almost  all  patients  who  have  taken  the 
milk  diet  under  my  personal  direction,  have 
asked  me  what  they  should  eat  afterward; 
how  they  can  be  sure  of  holding  the  benefits 
gained  on  milk. 

The  permanent  results  of  this  treatment 
are  invaluable,  and  I  believe  better  than  those 
obtained  by  any  other  method,  and  permanent 
cures  are  what  is  wanted  in  every  case,  and 
not  simply  temporary  improvement  while  tak- 
ing the  treatment. 

While  there  is  a  great  apparent  improve- 
ment in  all  patients  taking  the  diet,  yet  it  is  a 
fact  that  many  of  them  often  have  to  wait  un- 
til ordinary  habits  and  diet  are  resumed  be- 
fore they  realize  the  full  benefit  gained. 

All  persons  taking  the  milk  cure  properly 
will  find  their  physical  condition  better,  per- 
haps, than  it  ever  was  before.  The  circulation 
is  active,  digestion  perfect,  and  all  the  func- 


AFTER     TREATMENT.  165 

lions  of  the  body  working  well.     There  is  no 

good  reason  why  these  satisfactory  conditions 
should  not  be  retained. on  a  return  to  ordinary 
life. 

It  is  impossible  to  give  one  set  of  rules  that 
will  fit  every  ease,  on  account  of  variations  in 
the  individual,  such  as  age,  habits,  condition 
of  teeth,  financial  circumstances,  location,  pre- 
vious disease,  etc.,  but  I  can  give  here  certain 
general  directions  which  will  no  doubt  be 
helpful,  comprising  as  they  do  the  observation 
of  this  class  of  patients  for  twenty-seven 
years; 

Most  people  have  some  idea  of  what 
caused  I  heir  previous  lapse  from  health,  and 
they  should  avoid  the  former  errors. 

( hie  very  common  source  of  ill  health  is 
improper  breathing,  and  breathing  impure  air, 
day  or  night.  This  condition  must  not  be  re- 
turned to. 

Another  very  important  thing  to  avoid  is 
heavy  clothing.  No  matter  how  good  the  cir- 
culation, or  how  perfect  the  regulation  of  the 
body  heat,  if  thick,  heavy,  tight  fitting  under- 
garments are  resumed,  there  is  little  chance 
that  the  natural  animal  heat  will  continue  to 
be  generated  as  freely  as  before.  The  warm 


166  MILK   DIET. 

clothing  obviates  the  necessity  of  producing 
heat  within  the  body,  and  the  oxidation  of  the 
blood  becomes  less  perfect  because  it  is  not 
necessary  to  use,  or  burn  so  much  oxygen. 
The  stomach  does  not  make  as  much  blood, 
therefore  cannot  digest  as  much  food.  The 
food,  if  not  digested,  becomes  a  tax  on  the 
system,  the  appetite  is  interfered  with,  and  the 
general  vitality  lowered. 

On  the  other  hand,  with  light  clothing,  and 
open  mesh  underwear,  the  circulation  in  the 
skin  will  be  more  active  and  assist  in  retaining 
the  body  heat;  oxidation  and  metabolism  in 
the  body  will  be  promoted;  a  larger  amount  of 
food  assimilated,  and  more  air  respired. 

People  will  put  on  clothing,  and  more  of 
it,  every  time  there  is  the  slightest  suspicion 
of  being  cold,  or  even  if  the  skin  becomes  cool; 
not  appreciating  the  fact  that  cold  is  one  of 
the  best  stimulants  we  have  for  the  circulation 
in  the  skin.  And,  while  quick  to  add  clothing, 
they  are  slow  to  quit  it,  and  when  the  weather 
warms  up  again  they  have  not  only  missed  the 
stimulus  of  the  cold  air,  but  now  are  enervated 
by  the  superfluous  heat  of  their  garments. 

Wear  light  garments  and  keep  the  skin  in 
a  state  of  activity.  Make  your  own  heat  by 


AFTER     TREATMENT.  167 

taking  in  plenty  of  oxygen  and  food  and  using 
it  as  nature  intended.  If  you  have  to  move  a 
little  quicker,  or  breathe  a  little  deeper,  to  get 
the  necessary  oxidation  and  animal  heat,  all 
the  better.  Your  muscles  will  work  better, 
and  even  your  brain  will  be  more  active,  if 
your  vital  processes  are  not  smothered  under 
heavy  clothing. 

Notice  a  man  with  cold  hands,  or  feet, 
and  see  if  his  limbs  are  not  swathed  with  gar- 
ments three  or  four  layers  deep.  How  can 
you  expect  sufficient  bloo'd  to  get  down  to  the 
extremities  if  it  has  to  go  through  several  feet 
of  flesh  that  is  already  too  warm? 

If  the  man  with  cold  hands,  instead  of 
wearing  close,  heavy,  undergarments,  with 
tightly  knitted  wristbands,  will  wear  sleeve- 
less undershirts,  his  hands  will  be  warm  as 
soon  as  the  system  is  accustomed  to  the 
change,  and  his  general  health  better. 

Keep  the  skin  active  by  frequent  baths. 
Friction  baths,  using  a  dry,  coarse  towel,  or  a 
brush,  are  excellent,  and  can  be  taken  every 
morning.  A  warm  water  bath  is  necessary 
once  or  twice  a  week,  and  a  daily  sponge  bath, 
or  rubdown  of  all  the  body  usually  covered  by 
clothing,  helps  to  keep  the  skin  in  order. 


168  MILK   DIET. 

An  important  aid  to  health  in  many  cases 
is  a  correctly  fitted  pair  of  glasses  or  spec- 
tacles. It  is  wise  to  have  the  eyes  tested 
after  taking  this  treatment,  because  the  eyes 
undergo  changes  as  well  as  everything  else, 
and  glasses  that  were  used  previously  may 
cause  eye  strain  afterward  on  account  of  be- 
ing too  strong. 

A  plentiful  supply  of  water  must  be  taken 
daily,  and  the  time  to  begin  the  water  drink- 
ing is  right  after  you  stop  drinking  milk. 
Take  a  glass  the  first  thing  in  the  morning, 
and  the  last  thing  at  night,  and  two  or  three 
drinks  between  meals.  It  is  best  not  to  drink 
any  fluid  with  the  meals  as  it  tends  to  wash 
the  food  down  before  thoroughly  masticated, 
and  also  stops  the  secretion  of  saliva,  and 
stops  the  starch-digesting  action  of  that  al- 
ready secreted. 

If  there  is  any  tendency  to  constipation  the 
water  drinking  will  generally  prevent  it,  and 
especially,  if  a.  little  fruit  juice  is  added  to  the 
water.  Lemonade  is  a  good  drink,  but  the 
"bracers"  dispensed  at  the  soda  water  foun 
tains  should  be  avoided.  Ice  .cold  drinks  of 
any  kind  are  a  poor  thing  to  put  in  the  stom 


AFTER     TREATMENT.  169 

ach,  and  equally  detrimental  are  the  very  hot 
drinks  that  many  people  take. 

When  it  comes  to  the  question  of  food  I 
am  inclined  to  be  rather  liberal  in  my  views, 
and  do  not  lay  down  hard  and  fast  rules,  ex- 
cept, perhaps,  for  the  former  rheumatic  pa- 
tients, where  I  advise  against  a  resumption  of 
meat  eating  on  general  principles.  But  some 
of  them  are  eating  meat  occasionally,  and 
none  of  them  have  had  rheumatism  since  tak 
ing  the  treatment. 

Many  of  the  patients  are  vegetarians,  but 
.some  of  them  believed  in  that  before  taking 
the  treatment,  and  still  lacked  health. 

Of  late  years  the  patients  who  have  been 
using  a  diet  of  mostly  natural,  or  raw  foods, 
have  all  kept  in  good  health,  and  I  have  come 
to  believe  more  and  more  in  this  kind  of  a  diet. 

With  milk  and  eggs,  cream  and  cheese, 
nuts,  fruits  and  vegetables,  bread  made  from 
whole  wheat,  rye,  oats  or  corn,  and  butter, 
anyone  should  be  able  to  select  a  bill  of  fare. 

Cabbage,  beets,  turnips,  carrots,  radishes, 
spinach,  green  corn,  onions,  chives,  tomatoes, 
celery,  lettuce,  and  cress  are  all  more  digest- 
ible raw  than  when  cooked,  and  have  a  better 


170  MILK    DIET. 

flavor.  Combinations  of  these  vegetables 
ground  up  in  a  chopper,  together  with  sweet 
potatoes,  or  nuts,  or  fruits  with  various  kinds 
of  dressings  composed  of  olives  and  olive  oil, 
lemon  juice,  yolk  of  eggs,  cream  or  milk,  make 
perfect  food  dishes,  taste  good,  and  are  easily 
digested. 

Raw  eggs  can  be  taken  in  several  ways,  as 
broken  into  fruit  juice,  and  swallowed  with 
out  breaking  the  yolk,   or  beaten   up  with   a 
little  seasoning,  or  as  egg  lemonade,  or  stirred 
up  with  hot  milk,  or  just  placed  in  hot  water 
a  few  moments  to  warm  it  through,  and  then 
eaten  as  a  boiled  egg  would  be.    Raw  eggs  are' 
undoubtedly  more  easily  digested  and  assim- 
ilated than  cooked  eggs,  and  I  believe  they  af- 
ford more  nutriment  and  energy. 

There  are  some  persons,  even  after  taking 
the  milk  diet,  who  cannot  use  milk  as  a  drink 
with  other  foods  without  noticing  a  costive 
effect,  but  they  all,  I  believe,  can  take  milk 
alone,  or  milk  and  fruit,  or  bread  and  milk, 
and  make  a  satisfactory  and  easily  digested 
meal.  Bread  and  milk  suppers  are  a  favorite 
-  with  some  of  my  former  patients,  who  are  past 
80,  and  have  no  teeth.  Bread  and  milk  and 
fresh  apples  make  a  good  combination.  Any 


AFTER     TREATMENT.  171 

bread  to  be  used  in  milk  should  be  slightly 
stale,  never  fresh  and  soft.  Whole  wheat  or 
Graham  bread  is  far  better  than  the  white 
bread  made  from  patent  bolted  flour,  which 
contains  little  but  the  starchy  part  of  the 
grain. 

Some  people  like  toast,  or  zwieback,  prob- 
ably because  it  tastes  crisp  in  the  mouth  and 
affords  something  to  chew,  but  toast  is  a  very 
poor  article  of  food  and  usually  constipating. 
It  is  really  nothing  but  a  cinder  of  carbonized 
starch  and  gluten.  The  day  of  toast  and  tea 
for  invalids  is  gone,  and  will  never  return,  in 
sensible  households. 

The  legumes,  beans,  peas,  lentils  and  pea- 
nuts afford  valuable  nitrogenous  food.  Green 
peas  are  excellent  ground  up,  seasoned  and 
slightly  heated.  Adding  milk  or  butter  im- 
proves them.  Raw  peanuts  are  liked  by  many 
people  better  than  the  roasted  ones. 

Uncooked  wheat  may  be  used  in  seven  1 
ways.  Many  children  know  how  to  chew  a 
spoonful  of  wheat  up  until  the  starch  is  all 
dissolved  by  the  saliva,  leaving  the  pure  gluten 
as  a  gum  which  can  be  chewed  all  day,  as  the 
alkaline  saliva  has  no  digestive  effect  on  it. 
This  kind  of  gum  has  the  merit  of  being  real 


172  MILK   DIET. 

]y  nutritious,  and  will  stimulate  the  flow  of 
saliva  and  assist  stomach  digestion  as  much  as 
any  of  the  "pepsin"  compounds  with  indi- 
gestible chicle  which  are  so  extensively  sold. 

Hard  Northern  wheat  is  the  best  kind,  and 
it  may  be  made  into  a  very  palatable  dish  by 
soaking  for  36  hours,  changing  the  water  two 
or  three  times  to  prevent  it  souring.  It  is  then 
so  swollen  and  soft  that  it  can  readily  be  eaten 
with  cream,  or  honey.  It  may  be  warmed  be- 
fore using.  This  is  a  sovereign  remedy  for 
constipation.  Rye  can  be  used  in  the  same 
way  and  is  generally  regarded  as  more  laxa- 
tive than  any  other  cereal.  Flake  rye,  or 
rolled  rye  is  a  good  breakfast  food,  but  most 
people  prefer  to  cook  it  about  fifteen 'minutes. 

Wheat  may  be  parched  in  a  hot  skillet  un- 
til the  grains  puff  up  and  become  crisp  and 
palatable.  This  is  called  spargo,  and  may  be 
chewed  or  ground  up  and  eaten  with  cream  'or 
hot  milk.  Corn  spargo  can  be  made  from 
dried  sweet  corn  parched  in  the  same  way. 
Spargo  is  the  principal  diet  of  some  of  the 
Sicilian  peasants. 

Nuts  are  a  good  food,  but  rather  concen- 
trated. Most  of  them  are  improved  by  soak- 
ing in  water  for  a  day,  before  cracking. 


AFTER     TREATMENT.  173 

Milk  and  sour  milk  are  prepared  in  various 
ways  to  render  them  more  easily  digestible. 
It  is  well,  in  this  connection,  to  remember  that 
it  is  possible  to  give  the  stomach  too  little  to 
do,  and  that  a  continuous  feeding  of  pre-di- 
gested  foods  may  weaken  that  organ. 

I  never  advise  the  use  of  sweet  milk 
as  a  drink  with  meals,  but  certainly  butter- 
milk and  sour  milk  can  be  used,  in  moderation, 
with  good  effect.  It  is  difficult  to  get  good 
buttermilk,  and  the  so-called  buttermilk  tab- 
lets, pretending  to  be  cultures  of  strange  and 
beneficial  germs  from  foreign  lands,  are  most- 
ly humbugs. 

The  best  way  to  prepare  buttermilk,  or 
rather,  sour  milk,  is  to  take  the  fresh,  warm 
milk,  and  put  it  away  in  a  glass  fruit  jar,  in  a 
warm  place.  If  the  weather  is  cool,  or  the 
drink  wanted  soon,  place  a  teaspoonful  of  sour 
milk  in  the  jar,  as  a  starter.  In  about  24  hours 
the  milk  will  be  coagulated,  or  "clabbered." 

Now  empty  the  contents  of  the  jar  into  a 
bowl  and  beat  up  with  an  eggbeater,  until 
liquid  and  frothy,  when  it  is  ready  to  drink. 

Junket  tablets  to  coagulate  sweet  milk  can 
be  bought  at  drug  stores,  and  many  useful 
recipes  come  with  each  little  box.  With  their 


174  MILK    DIET. 

aid   most   delicious   and   digestible   dishes   can 
be  made  from  milk  and  eggs  without  cooking. 

No  matter  what  food  is  given  the  stomach, 
it  makes  an  effort  to  digest  it,  and  nearly  al- 
ways succeeds  with  any  simple,  natural  food: 
but  combinations  of  various  classes  of  foods 
render  the  stomach's  work  more  difficult. 
Professor  Pawlow's  researches  have  thrown 
great  light  on  the  subject  of  gastric  and  pan- 
creatic digestive  secretions.  He  showed  that 
each  kind  of  food  ingested  was  instrumental 
in  causing  the  secretion  of  digestive  juices  es- 
pecially adapted  to  that  food,  but  when  sev- 
eral kinds  of  food  were  taken  at  the  same 
time,  a  stomach  had  to  be  in  very  good  order 
to  make  gastric  juice  suited  to  all. 

To  this  fact,  no  doubt,  is  due  the  origin 
of  numerous  mono-diet  cures. 

Perhaps  one  of  the  oldest  of  these  is  the 
so-called  grape  cure,  whch  has  been  and  is 
still  used  in  various  parts  of  the  world.  The 
method  of  giving  this  treatment  varies  in 
different  places.  Usually  the  patients  go  to 
the  vineyard  and  live  out  doors  while  eat- 
ing several  pounds  of  grapes  daily.  As  high 
as  ten  or  twelve  pounds  can  be  taken,  but 


AFTER     TREATMENT.  175 

the  usual  daily  allowance  is  two  to  four 
pounds.  In  some  cases  a  small  amount  of 
coarse  bread  is  added  to  the  fruit.  The  diet 
is  quite  laxative,  and  has  been  considered  ex- 
cellent for  digestive  disturbances  and  con- 
sumption. In  some  places  the  custom  is  to 
swallow  the  seeds  while  in  other  localities 
this  is  not  advised.  The  skins  are  usually, 
but  not  always,  rejected.  The  soreness  of 
the  mouth  frequently  caused  by  the  diet  is 
relieved  by  rinsing  the  mouth  with  cold 
water  containing  a  little  bi-carbonatc 
soda.  A  disadvantage  of  this  cure  is 
fact  that  it  is  only  available  at  one  season 
of  the  year. 

Another  remedy  is  the  apple  cure,  which 
is  now  available  at  almost  any  time  of  the 
year. 

A  very  good  remedy  for  malarial  pois- 
on, and,  perhaps,  other  disorders,  consists  in 
living  exclusively  on  tomatoes  for  weeks  at  a 
time.  In  my  experience  with  this  diet  the  to- 
matoes were  cooked,  but  with  little  or  no 
seasoning.  I  presume  the  fresh,  uncooked 
fruit  would  be  satisfactory.  Cranberries  are 
said  to  have  a  curative  influence  on  rhettma- 


176  MILK    DIET. 

tism,  and  the  use  of  uncooked  vegetables,  as 
carrots,  for  instance,  is  beneficial  in  skin  dis- 
ease. Recently  an  exclusive  diet  of  cooked 
turnip  tops  has  been  tried  in  a  laVge  East- 
ern hospital,,  for  digestive  troubles,  and  with 
excellent  effect,  it  is  said. 

The  meat  diet,  called  the  Salisbury 
treatment,  was  popular  in  this  country  twen- 
ty years  ago,  and  may  be  valuable  in  cer- 
tain cases,  such  as  obesity.  The  meat  used 
consisted  of  very  slightly  cooked,  lean  beef.  I 
have  known  of  patients  taking  as  many  as 
eighteen  steaks  daily,  with  a  crust  of  bread, 
and  usually  hot  water  and .  orange  juice  to 
relieve  the  constipation.  This  method  is  dan- 
gerous in  certain  conditions  and  certainly  has 
not  the  general  application  of  the  fruit  cures. 

None  of  the  above  named  foods  contain 
in  themselves  a  well  balanced  ration  for  the 
human  body,  and  sooner  or  later,  the  diet 
would  have  to  be  changed  to  prevent  star- 
vation. 

Some  writers  claim  that  eggs  are  a  per- 
fect food,  but  certainly  we  cannot  do  with 
eggs  what  we  can  with  milk  alone.  An  egg 
contains  splendid  food  material,  but  it  is 


AFTER     TREATMENT.  177 

primarily  intended  for  the  propagation  of  the 
species,  while  milk  is  secreted  purely  for  food 
purposes  and  by  an  animal  closer  to  the  hu- 
man race  than  the  bird  family. 


178 


PULSE    BLANK. 


PULSE 

PULSE 

WEIGHT 

DATE 

NO. 

DATE 

NO. 

DATE 

POUNDS 

. 

MEMORANDA. 


MEASUREMENT    BLANK. 


179 


INDEX 


After    Treatment    ' 164 

Anemia     50 

Aneurism    109,   131.  14u 

Appendicitis 122 

Apple    Cure    175 

Apoplexy     131,    151 

Arkansas  Hot  Springs 116 

Arterio    Sclerosis    50,    130 

Asthma    Ill,  119 

Bad  Taste  in  Mouth   40,   76 

Bath,    cold 45,    158 

friction     167 

in   hot  weather    43 

shower     45 

temperature     42 

tubs    23 

warm    21,  42,  147,  167 

Bathing    45 

caps    44 

during  menstruation    44 

Bed    17 

'clothes 18 

Biliousness    50 

Bladder     53,    131 

Blood    Circulation    44,    51,    55 

Bowel    Trouble     67 

Bread    171 

Breakfast  Foods   82 

Breathing    79,    165 

Bright's    Disease    119,   125,   126,   149 

Bronchitis     112,   119 

Cancer    134 

Catarrh    ., 50,    111 

Chewing     85 


INDEX.  181 

Chlorosis     ...............................................  128 

Clock     ..................................................   21 

Clothing     ......................................  165,  166,  167 

Coated  Tongue    .........................................  40 

Cocaine    Habit    ..........................................   50 

Constipation     ......................  30,  50,^,   161,   168,   172 

Consumption    .......................................  50,    105 

Cooking    ................................................   81 

Cough     .................................................  106 

Crises    ..........................................  50,  118,  138 

Danger    of   Hemorrhage    ................................  109 

Deafness     ...............................................   44 

Defecation     ...........................  ,  .................   90 

Diabetes    .............  •  ........................  10,  30,  47,   133 

Diarrhea     ..........................................  67,    123 

Dilated    Stomach    ...................................  30,    123 

Dropsy    .........................................  59,  128,  149 

Dyspepsia     ...........................................  50,   75 

Eggs    ..............................................  170,   176 

Kmbolism    ..........................  131 

Emphysema    .........................  .  112 

Enemas    .....................................  .  ......  95,    102 

Eruption  on  Skin    ..................    ..........  v  .........  50 

Exercise    ...........................................  97,    153 

and  milk  diet   .....................................  149 

effect   of    .........................................  155 

Easting    .........................................  29,  101,  116 

Ecces     ...............................  .  ..................   89 

Fever     ..................................................   60 

Eibroid   Tumor    .........................................  132 

Eood    ...................................................  169 

Fresh  Air    ..............................................   15 

Fruits    ........................................  30,  77,  92,  101 

(!as   in   Stomach    ........................................   40 

Grape   Cure    ....................................  -  ........  174 

Gout    ..............................................  115,   119 

143 


Hair     ...................  .44 

Handball     ................................................  162 

Hay    Fever    ......................................  11,  50,   112 

Headaches     .  ;  ...........................................   30 

Heart    Stimulation  .   52 


182  MILK    DIET. 

Disease    52,  126,  127,  129 

Hot   Water   Heaters    22 

Hunger  on  Milk  Diet   76 

Hyperemia    57 

Indigestion    38,  42,  50,  78,  85 

Injury   on    Milk   Diet 140 

Insomnia 42,    50 

Inunctions    73 

Junket     174 

Kidneys 53,    124,    126 

Long   Beach,    Cal 116 

Malaria 50,    176 

Massage    81,   145 

Measurements     32 

Blank    179 

Meat    Eating    169,    177 

Medicines    , 56 

Membranous    Colitis    124 

Milk,    asses    9 

amount    of 32 

boiled    25,  26 

buttermilk    99,    173 

camel's     9 

can 20 

carrying     49 

curds    in    stomach    37,  39 

cream 27 

delivery   of    28 

digestion   of    • 36 

diluted     : 39 

Durham 27 

glasses 20,   35 

handling    of    . .  .  . 25,   27 

Holstein     27,   28 

Jersey 27 

long   course    of 46 

mare's    9 

pasteurized 25,   26 

preserved    25,   26 

salts     ; . 28 

skimmed    40,    126 

sour 26,  99,  173 

sour   milk  cheese    .  .   99 


INDEX.  183 

sterili/ed    25 

warming    38,   39 

Mitchell,    Weir    10,   47,    120,    145 

Morphine   Habit    50 

Muscles    62 

Nausea     38,  41 

Nephritis     149 

Nervous    Prostration    11,   59 

Neuralgia     50 

of  heart    131 

Neurasthenia    50 

Night    Drinking    40 

Nuts ..172 

Odor   From   Skin 120 

Oertel's   Treatment    126 

Oil  Stove    39 

Organs  of   Generation    145 

Pain     139 

Painful    Menstruation    132 

Pancreas    85 

Paralysis    131 

Pa\vlow,   Prof 174 

Pepsin     81 

Perspiration    18,  69,  97,  156 

Piles    50,  92 

Pimples 49,   50 

Preliminary    Arrangements    15 

Psychology  of  Milk   Cure   135 

Pulse     51,    60 

blank   178 

Purin   Bodies    120 

Raw    Food    . .  169 

wheat    171,     172 

Reactions    During    Treatment 51 

Reading    146 

Relaxing    146 

Rest    63,    142 

Rheumatism    50,  70,  115 

Rheumatoid      Arthritis 121 

Salisbury  Treatment    177 

Sallowness    49 

Sanitarium   Treatment    136 

Schroth's  Treatment    .  ..126 


184  MILK    DIET. 

Skin    69,    167 

Sleep   36,    78 

Sleeping  Garments  18 

Spargo     172 

Spectacles    , 168 

Starting  the  Treatment    29 

Stools,  color  of   103 

Soap    42 

Sphincter  Muscles    88 

Suggestion    135 

Thirst  on   Milk  Diet   77 

Toast    171 

Tobacco   Habit    50 

Tuffnell's    Treatment 126 

Typhoid   Fever    122 

Ulcer   of  Stomach    50 

Uric    Acid     118,120 

Urinal   19,    132 

Urine     53,    125 

Various   Diseases    122 

Vegetables    .' 170 

Ventilation    '. 16,   44 

Vomiting   38,  41 

Water  Drinking    101,    168 

Weighing 31 

Weight   70 

Wilcox,   Ella  Wheeler    47 

Wrinkles    .  .   50 


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